Delicious-scented Daphne
Three evergreen, scented daphnes that are easy to grow and a great addition to any garden, selected by Colin Crosbie, Curator of RHS Garden Wisley
Daphnes are a wonderful group of fragrant, flowering shrubs that are native to North America, Europe and Asia. Some of the species and cultivars require slightly more specialised requirements, however many are very easy to grow, including the three below, which are all favourites of mine.
Daphne x translantica Eternal Fragrance 'Blafra'
I can only describe this wonderful Daphne as a must-have plant for every garden. It is rarely out of bloom from spring through to autumn.
The flowers are pink in bud before opening to smother the plant in beautiful white, highly-fragrant flowers. It is an easy-to-grow evergreen in a sunny free-draining site, with a height and spread of 60-70cm (24-28in). It is also suitable for growing in a container.
Daphne tangutica AGM
This elegant Daphne, which originates in China, is another easy-to-grow plant. The evergreen species prefers a more shady position and needs a humus-rich soil.
Its main flowering period is spring but you will find that you have sweetly-scented flowers on and off throughout the summer. This plant also produces red berries which add another attractive dimension. Height 100cm (39in) and spread 70cm (28in).
Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ AGM
This excellent evergreen Daphne has the additional attraction of having beautiful variegated foliage as well as scented flowers.
The shiny, dark-green leaves are edged with distinctive creamy yellow margins. In spring its highly-scented flowers open a deep shade of pink before fading to white. This plant prefers to be grown out of direct sunshine, height and spread 90cm (35in).