Plant of the Month: Daphne (January 2025)

In the bleak midwinter, in amongst the primroses and snowdrops, the New Year brings excitement as the Daphne shrubs come into flower.  For one member, several are looking looking extremely handsome and are, at present, the highlights in her garden.

Daphne odora ‘Perfume Princess’: This evergreen to semi-evergreen variety was bred in New Zealand and is considered the most perfumed of all the Daphnes. Between January and March, this shrub, which is regarded as hardy (although it suffered from the recent heavy frosts) will send out pale-pink blooms amongst its upright, handsome foliage, reaching a height of 1-1.5m over the years. Our CABAHS member says it has “wonderful scent and made a showy plant in just a few years.”  I note that there is also a variety Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’ White on the market that would be a bonus to any garden.

Daphne gemmata ‘Royal Crown’: A rare Daphne from China, where it is found growing in the wild at the edge of woodlands. The yellow flowers usually appear, I understand, in late spring to early summer but it’s already in flower. So, it is long-flowered, which is a bonus.  Is it perfumed?  Not according to its owner and there seems to be confusion amongst growers as to whether it is or not.  This variety can take acid soil as well as alkaline but is prone to die-back so it might not be fully hardy.  Prefers full sun, growing to a height of 1 metre.

Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’: A gorgeously fragrant, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub, bred by Alan Postill in 1982 at Hillier’s.  It’s a tall, handsome specimen and in this particular garden is a replacement, having grown to 3 metres in only a few short years. They are prone to suckering, which this one has done (and mine too) – the suckers can be removed in the autumn, hopefully with attached roots.  The pink-purplish flowers will bloom until March.  The photograph shows that the foliage on this particular specimen has, luckily, not been nibbled by snails which, unfortunately, they are prone to doing on my plant.

Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’: This hardy shrub of mine, originating from Eastern Asia, is just coming into flower. This plant arrived in the post as an 8-inch stick a few years ago and was meant to be Daphne odora ‘Perfume Princess’! But I’m very happy with it as it has developed into a nicely rounded shrub and it will flower continually until April. It is noted for its gold-to-cream-edged leaves and gorgeous perfume. And, it grows happily in amongst neighbouring grass-like plants.

Note: Although Daphne shrubs are very desirable, they are best suited for pet-free homes and we should all use gloves when handling them.

Anna L