How to Grow and Care for Daphne Shrubs

Daphne Care

Daphne is not the easiest shrub to grow; these plants are known to die suddenly and without an obvious cause. To avoid disappointment, consider them temporary and place them in an area that allows for easy removal. Here are the main care requirements for growing a daphne:

• Plant it in a location with full sun to partial shade according to the specific requirements of the variety.
• Amend the soil with compost before planting and ensure it is slightly acidic.
• Water as needed to keep the soil moist but well-drained.
• Fertilize twice a year, once in spring and once in summer.

Light

While some varieties of daphne do fine in full sun, most will bloom best in partial shade conditions. Those varieties grown mostly for their variegated leaves will display well even in relatively shady conditions, though the flowering will be reduced. Group them with other acid-loving plants that have similar sunlight needs, such as azaleas.

Soil

Daphnes require well-drained soil with plenty of compost and a slightly acidic soil pH. Before planting, prepare the soil by blending in some compost and fertilizer for acid-loving plants to create the slightly acidic pH level these shrubs like. The shrubs thrive in moist soil but excellent drainage is a must. When planting a nursery-grown specimen, it should be set slightly higher than it was growing in the nursery pot so the root crown is elevated about 12 inch.

To keep the soil around them moist in summer (and to keep the roots cool), apply a three-inch layer of mulch.

Water

In the first year of growth, water your shrub at least once a week, or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Once established, the shrubs still require a tricky balance between consistent moisture and good drainage. Make sure the mulch remains moist, and make sure the shrub gets at least 1 inch of water per week through rainfall, irrigation, or a combination.

Temperature and Humidity

Daphnes are winter-hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9 (depending on cultivar), but in zones 4 and 5 they are usually semi-evergreen or deciduous.

The shrubs tolerate high humidity levels, though they may be susceptible to fungal leaf spots.

Fertilizer

Daphne should be fertilized twice a year using a granular balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10). Feed them once in February or March, then again in July.

Types of Daphne

Of the 70 species of daphne, a relatively small number of species and hybrids are commonly grown for landscape cultivation. Popular types include:

• • Winter daphne (D. odora): This species and its cultivars have the most powerful fragrance. It grows to about 4 feet tall with narrow, glossy leaves. This type is the most likely to die without an obvious cause. The flowers bloom in late winter. A popular cultivar is the variegated winter daphne ‘Aureo-marginata’.
  • Garland daphne (D. cneorum): This is a low grower, reaching less than 1 foot tall when fully mature. It’s a popular choice for rock gardens, adding interest to the edging of pathways. Its trailing branches spread to about 3 feet. It is covered with flowers in the spring. By covering the stems with mulch after the flowers fade, you will encourage new rooting. Popular varieties include ‘Eximia’, ‘Pgymaea Alba’, and ‘Variegata’.
  • Burkwood daphne (D. x burkwoodii): Depending on the climate zone. this hybrid daphne is evergreen, semi-evergreen, or deciduous. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and blooms in late spring (and sometimes again in late summer). ‘Carol Mackie’ is a popular cultivar with variegated foliage. Another with variegated leaves and sweet-smelling flowers is ‘Briggs Moonlight’, which grows best in USDA Zones 5 to 9. The coloration of ‘Briggs Moonlight’ foliage is superior to ‘Carol Mackie’, but it is otherwise very similar.

• February daphne (D. mezereum): This variety offers pink flowers that bloom in late winter (between February and March in most areas). It grows about 5 feet tall with a similar spread, and its deciduous green leaves begin appearing as the flowers fade. It does best in partial shade or full sun, but like other varieties of daphne, it requires a delicate balance of moist but well-drained soil.
• ‘Eternal Fragrance’ daphne (D. x transatlantica): This compact hybrid daphne is slow-growing and reaches only 2 to 3 feet in height and width, which makes it a preferred choice for small urban gardens. It starts blooming in the spring and continues a light bloom all through the summer and into fall. It grows in USDA Zones 6-9.

Pruning

Daphnes are slow-growing shrubs that don’t require much in the way of pruning, as they naturally mature into nicely rounded, mounded plants. Trim off broken branches or the occasional misbehaving branch but leave it alone otherwise; heavy pruning may result in pronounced dieback.

If you prune this plant, do it immediately after flowering. Daphne blooms on old wood and by pruning late in the season you would remove the following season’s blooms.

Propagating Daphne

Daphne shrubs are not hard to propagate from semi-green cuttings taken from July to September. However, the very slow growth rate means that most people prefer to buy larger nursery-grown plants rather than spend years nursing a cutting into a mature plant. If you do attempt to propagate this plant, here’s how:

1. Cut a long stem from healthy new growth in late summer. Look for relatively firm wood, taken from the area where green growth is emerging from old wood. Using sharp, clean pruners, cut the severed branch into 4- to 6-inch segments, each containing plenty of mature leaves.
2. Remove the leaves from the lower half of each cutting, then plant each one in a mixture of potting soil and perlite.
3. Water the growing medium thoroughly, cover the pot in plastic, and put it in a place that receives bright, indirect light.
4. Once roots develop (which may take a couple of months), transplant the cuttings into a large pot filled with well-draining potting mix. When there is plenty of new growth, plant the new shrub in your landscape. You may need to keep the plant growing in its container for a full year or more before it’s ready to transplant.

Potting and Repotting Daphne

Only the smaller varieties are suitable for growing in containers. Plant it in a large, tall pot; preferably one made from terra cotta to aid in drainage. Fill it with a mixture of regular potting soil and potting soil for acid-loving plants and ensure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. Water every time the top inch of soil feels dry (keeping the soil consistently moist as much as possible).

Even if the daphne variety is winter-hardy in your climate, in a container, its roots are insufficiently insulated against the cold and you will need to winterize the potted plant.

Overwintering

Make sure your USDA Hardiness Zone is suitable for the daphne you want to plant, as overwintering it indoors to protect it from cold weather is not an option.

Many varieties flower in late winter though they do not require any additional care during that time. Water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry (instead of 1 inch during the warm growing season).

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Daphne is susceptible to root and crown rot. leaf spots, canker, twig blight, crown rot, and viruses. Potential pests include aphids, mealybugs, and scale. To treat pest infestations on your daphne, spray the entirety of the plant down with water first and wipe down its leaves. Next, spray the leaves, foliage, and flowers with insecticidal soap (or mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap per quart of water).

How to Get Daphne to Bloom

Bloom Months

Different daphne varieties bloom in different seasons, Winter daphne blooms from February to March and spring-blooming daphne starts blooming in April and continues flowering until October.

What Do Daphne Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Daphne has small, pink or white flowers that grow in clusters. The flowers smell strong with a sweet, citrusy, spicy fragrance.

How to Encourage More Blooms

If your shrub is not blooming when it should be, the culprit is likely dry soil. Gradually increase watering, ensuring the soil remains moist, but not soggy.

Common Problems With Daphne

If your mature plant is not healthy, it may be suffering from the following common problems:

Brown Leaves

Underwatered daphne shrubs typically develop brown, crispy leaves. Check the soil to ensure that the top inch is moist, and water more often if it is drying out quickly.

Yellow or Drooping Leaves

If the plant’s leaves are turning yellow or beginning to droop, it’s a sign that the plant is overwatered. Daphne is very sensitive to improper watering conditions. Ensure that the soil has has excellent drainage and cut back on watering to allow the soil to dry slightly.

Leaves Falling Off

Leaves dropping from your plant also indicate that it is overwatered. Cut back on watering and ensure the soil drains properly.