Daphne odora (Winter Daphne)

When Sonoma County gardens seem drab with late-season blahs, the sweet odor of winter Daphne odora punctures the gloom and makes the garden feel welcoming once again. Daphne odora (winter daphne) has perhaps the most strongly scented flowers of all daphnes.

Daphne’s Myth

In myth, Daphne was the daughter of a river god who was so pursued by Apollo that her father changed her into a laurel tree to escape him. But garden-variety daphnes have nothing in common with a laurel tree.

• Winter daphne is native to China and Japan, but—with specific attention—grows successfully in much of the United States. 
• The fragrant allure of winter daphne attracts a large number of gardeners, but it is a bit of a myth that little care results in continuous success.
• A delicious, sweet odor is the hallmark that lures many gardeners to plant this 3-4 ft. shrub that may reach twice as wide. Narrow leaves are about 3 in. long.
• Besides careful planting, tip pruning, infrequent irrigation and fertilizing after flowers fade are all that is needed. It is not a myth that daphne often thrives on neglect after planting.

Plant with Care

‘Aureo-marginata’ with its thick, glossy, variegated foliage and cream-colored margins is most popular winter daphne (Daphne odora). The species has plain green leaves. Pinkish red blossoms with pale pink centers are clustered at stem tips in late winter.

• All daphnes require semi-shade in well-amended and fast-draining soil that retains enough moisture to prevent roots from drying out completely.
• Planting on a slight mound ensures good drainage, even in loose soil. Heavy soil must be well amended; planting on a slight slope also encourages good drainage.
• A cover of mulch over roots lessens the need for watering, but during the dry season, some irrigation is usually needed to prevent wilting.
• Excessive watering may prevent flowering and cause root rot. Roots require good aeration. Growth is slow to moderate.
• Because their flower scent is so intoxicating, daphnes are a great choice for planting along a semi-shaded walkway, porch, or deck.
• Most daphnes do not transplant well, so site a plant where it will live permanently.
• All parts are poisonous and all are deer resistant.

Cautions

Despite exquisite care, it is not unusual for winter daphne to falter and die prematurely before the expected 5-10-yr. life span. Unpredictable behavior may involve flourishing for years then dying without warning.

• This evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with pinkish-white to pink flowers must be grown in specific sites.
• When selecting a planting site, monitor exposure to sun in all seasons.
• Winter sun for several hours is tolerable for half a day; hot summer sun is not.
• Some morning sun exposure encourages bloom, but only for a few hours a day.
• In hot inland areas, even filtered sun in summer may cause wilt and leaf burn.

Different Daphnes

After carefully siting plants, all daphnes are relatively easy-care but may be temperamental in some gardens. Careful planting in loose, well-drained soil, with moderate watering leads to best success.

• Daphne x burkwoodii is evergreen to semi-evergreen in Sonoma County winters. 
  • It develops into an attractive, well-formed shrub 3-4 ft. tall with narrow green leaves.
  • Blooms appear in spring and often repeat in late summer. 
  • ‘Carol Mackie’ is a variegated version, with a gold edge to green leaves. 
• Daphne cneorum(garland daphne) is suited to a rock garden, front of a border, or along a pathway. It is evergreen and matting, less than 1 ft. high with a spreading habit to 3 ft. wide.
  • Trailing, narrow, glossy green branches are covered with fragrant spring blossoms.
  • After bloom, top dress soil with compost or similar material to encourage additional rooting of stems.
  • Cultivars include ‘Eximia,’ ‘Pgymaea Alba,’ and ‘Variegata.’

August 2023