Daphne mezereum

RHS Plant Profile
mezereon

Other common names

dwarf bay, February daphne, lady's laurel, mezereum, mysterious plant, spurge flax, spurge olive, bliwlys

Shrubs

A deciduous, rounded shrub to 1.5m. Flowers usually appear before the leaves, purplish-pink or purplish-red, clustered closely in twos and threes from buds on the twigs in early spring, very fragrant, followed by round red berries. Leaves oblanceolate, dull grey-green, short-stalked, to 9cm long

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk 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 West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Thymelaeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
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
Plant Range
Europe to C Asia

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, resents transplanting so do not move once established

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. 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