Varieties of Daphne
Daphnes, most of which come from Asia, are plants known for their extraordinary fragrance.
Among them, we find in particular :
- Daphne odora: the most classic and most fragrant of the daphnes; the one from our grandmothers' gardens. The most sold variety is Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata', with leaves edged with a small yellow border.
- Daphne 'Perfume Princess': a hybrid daphne that appeared a few years ago and is gaining recognition for its larger flowers, longer blooming time and interesting citrus scent. Another advantage is its resistance to sudden dieback.
- Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance' and Daphne 'Pink Fragrance' are English varieties with white flowers for the first one, and with pink-purple flowers for the second one. Their perfume is not comparable to the first two daphnes. On the other hand, their flowering is very long (3 to 4 months, even more) and they are also small shrubs less complicated to grow than Daphne odora.
The culture of Daphne
Daphne are known to be difficult to grow. Even at the nursery, it is sometimes difficult to keep beautiful Daphnes in pots. The problem comes from a fungus present in the soil, belonging to the Phytophthora family which, when a plant is stressed, will be able to penetrate the roots, block the whole vascular system of the plant and prevent the sap from circulating. The affected daphne will wither in two or three days, often at the first heat stroke.
The stress which weakens the plant at the beginning is often due to the excess of water which asphyxiates the roots. Degraded, they then let in the fungi.
To avoid that, it is necessary to cultivate the daphne in a light but rich and fresh soil, of forest type. On clay soil, it is recommended to plant the daphne on a mound, to mulch the soil with an organic mulch (lawn clippings, RCW, straw) to keep it fresh and, when planting, to make good amendments such as compost.
The ideal exposure for daphnes
- In regions with hot summers, prefer half-shade (sun in the morning, shade in the afternoon), or even total shade.
- In regions where summer temperatures do not exceed 25°C, it is possible to expose them to full sun.
The dimensions of the daphne
- Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' : shrub of 80 cm high;
- Daphne 'Perfume Princess' : 1,20 high ;
- Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance' and Daphne 'Pink Fragrance': dome-shaped shrubs which, at the age of 5 to 7 years, will measure 70 cm high with a 70 cm spread.
Maintenance of Daphne
Daphnes grow rather slowly. They do not require any particular maintenance. In the middle of winter, don't hesitate to make bouquets with 2 or 3 branches.
Note: Daphne wood is toxic (few pests).
Multiplication of Daphne
You can take cuttings from unprotected varieties (without patent), such as Daphne odora. Proceed in early autumn. Be careful, transplanting is delicate; do it in early spring.
