Daphne bholua 'Peter Smithers'
daphne 'Peter Smithers'
'Peter Smithers' is a more or less evergreen, medium-sized shrub of erect habit with long, oval, leathery leaves. Highly fragrant, dark purplish-pink and pale pink flowers open in terminal clusters in late winter, followed by black berries
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Black | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Pink | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Thymelaeaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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 moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained but not dry soil, in sun or part shade. Mulch to keep roots cool. Establishes best if planted in the spring, and resents transplanting so do not move once established. See daphne cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early to midsummer and semi-ripe heel cuttings in mid- or late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or pruning group 8 but keep pruning to a minimum
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.