Daphne tangutica Retusa Group

RHS Plant Profile
daphne Retusa Group
daphne Retusa Group RHS 2002

Synonyms

Daphne retusa

Award of Garden Merit
Alpine Rockery Shrubs

Retusa Group are small evergreen shrubs to 75cm in height, of dense, rounded habit, with short dark green elliptic leaves and terminal clusters of fragrant flowers from late spring, nearly white within, purple on the outside. Red berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Thymelaeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Daphne can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with small, usually very fragrant tubular, 4-lobed flowers, often followed by colourful berries
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soils. Not reliably hardy in exposed conditions. Resents transplanting

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases