Daphne caucasica

RHS Plant Profile
Caucasian daphne
Caucasian daphne visionspictures.com
Shrubs

A slow-growing deciduous shrub, up to around 1.5m high, with narrowly oval-shaped green leaves. Clusters of small, fragrant white flowers are produced at the tips of the stems in late spring and early summer, sometimes with a second flush in early autumn. Flowers are sometimes followed by small yellow-brown fruits

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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
Deciduous
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soils that don't dry out. Mulch to keep roots cool. Plants resent transplanting, and prefer being planted in the ground rather than containers. See daphne cultivation for more details

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, or by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

See pruning group 1; pruning is best kept 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