Daphne pontica

RHS Plant Profile

twin-flowered daphne

Other common names

Pontic daphne

Shrubs

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A small, rounded evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and abundant clusters of scented yellow-green flowers at the branch tips. Fruits black

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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): H5

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: Bulgaria to Iran

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. Tolerant of deep shade. Will not tolerate root disturbance and so resents transplanting

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containters in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Greenwood cuttings from spring to early summer and semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Layering from late spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Cottage and informal garden
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or Pruning group 8 if necessary. 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