Daphne odora

RHS Plant Profile
winter daphne

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Daphne odora?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
winter daphne RHS
winter daphne visionspictures.com
winter daphne visionspictures.com

Other common names

Japan daphne

Synonyms

Daphne indica misapplied
Daphne japonica

Shrubs
Thank you - your purchase supports our charity work Buy this from RHS Plants Shop
Buy online from £34.99Buy this from Plant Nurseries
13 Suppliers

A compact evergreen shrub with leathery, dark green leaves and terminal umbels of very fragrant, deep pink and white flowers from late winter to early spring, followed by red fruit

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–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
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
Correct
Plant Range
China, Vietnam, Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Mulch annually in spring with well-rotted organic matter to keep the roots cool. Not reliably hardy in exposed conditions, may need winter protection. Resents root disturbance and transplanting. See daphne cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

See pruning groups 1 and 8; 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