DAPHNE

The sweet smell that wafts through the air in February and March can be attributed to only a few plants, one of them being Daphne. An old garden favorite, Daphne odora, or Winter Daphne is a plant no yard should be without. While Winter Daphne is justly famous, she has a few sisters you should get to know.

Here are some of our favorites. (click photos to enlarge)

Daphne bhoula, common name Lokta or Paper Daphne – Pale pink extremely fragrant flowers in late winter and long narrow evergreen leaves.

Grows to be very large, 8’ tall in Portland, 30’+ in it’s native Nepal where it is used as a plant for paper production. Likes sun, hardy in zones 7-9. For more on paper production, see Lokta Paper Craft.

Daphne odora, common name Winter or Fragrant Daphne. Pink buds in January open to light pink flowers in February and March. The scent is so thick that on warmer days it can envelop a neighborhood. Leaves are evergreen & leathery. ‘Marginata’ has a slight cream-colored edge to the foliage. ‘Leucantha’ and a new introduction ‘Zuiko Nishiki’ have solid green leaves and are reported to be more upright and vigorous. Both grow to 3-4’ tall and 4-6’ wide. Both are best in shade or at least with shade in the hot afternoon sun. Hardy in zones 7-9

Daphne ‘Lawrence Crocker’ – D. arbuscula x D. collina This little Daphne just gives and gives. Very fragrant, purple/mauve flower clusters bloom from spring thru fall once the plant is established. Leaves are evergreen and narrow, about 2” long. The plant is a nice little shrubby thing growing only to 12”x12”. It is the perfect addition to a rock garden or container. Sun, part shade – zones 6-9

Daphne transatlantica – D. caucasica x D. collina We may have saved the best for last. This is an easy Daphne! Pale pink buds open to white flowers almost year-round and 2” long blue-green leaves are reliably evergreen. In the case of the variety ‘Summer Ice’, leaves have a creamy edge, adding to the frosty look year round. Grows to about 3-4’ tall and wide. Likes sun or part shade, appreciates improved drainage like any Daphne but thrives with a bit of neglect. Hardy in zones 5-9. Photo by Stephanie Mack.

Photos courtesy of Youngblood Nursery with the exception of Daphne transatlantica which was taken by our own Stephanie Mack. .