Daphne bholua 'Peter Smithers'

RHS Plant Profile

daphne 'Peter Smithers'

Synonyms

Daphne bholua 'Daman Ridge Dark'

Shrubs

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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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Thymelaeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi 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 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