Native to southern China, Vietnam and Taiwan, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, a plant family of just under 900 species, most of which are unfamiliar to North American gardeners. The plant grows 4-6′ tall, has a mounding habit, and is densely branched. The shiny leathery dark green leaves are 2-4″ long, elliptic to oblong, and crowded at the end of the branches. In late winter or early spring, 1″ wide terminal clusters of rosy-purple to pink, tubular flowers appear. The flowers are fleshy, have four spreading lobes and are very fragrant. The flowers give way to a showy red drupes in summer but they are rarely found on cultivated plants. The outstanding fragrance of C. odora makes it a great choice for a patio plant or fragrance garden. Its early bloom time makes it a good choice for a winter garden in USDA hardiness Zones 8 and 9. The attractive foliage of winter Daphne recommends its use as a specimen as well as in borders, foundation plantings, and woodland gardens. The genus name, Daphne, honor a nymph of Greek mythology associated with fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks and other bodies of freshwater. The specific epithet, odora, is from the Latin word odor meaning scent.
Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Outstanding Feature: Fragrant flowers, early bloom time
Form: Mound
Growth Rate: Slow
Bloom: Terminal clusters of very fragrant, rosy-purple to pink tubular flowers in late winter or early spring
Size: 3-6′ H x 2-4′ W
Light: Full sun (with afternoon shade in areas with hot summers)
Soil: Humusy, consistently moist, well-drained; moderately salt tolerant
Hardiness: Zones 7-9
Care: May be difficult to establish; resents transplanting; prune lightly immediately after flowering to prevent legginess
Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to damage from botrytis, leaf spots, canker, twig blight, crown rot, root rot and virus, aphids, mealybugs and scale. Plants are short lived and known for suddenly dying.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings and semi-ripe cuttings in mid or late summer; grafting in late winter, layering
Outstanding Selections:
D. odora f. rosacea (white and pink flowers)
D. odora f. rubra (dark red-pink flowers with less fragrance)
‘Aureomarginata’ (yellow variegation; hardier than species)
‘Marginata’: (variegated)
‘Mae-jima’ (variegated, with a wide band of cream to yellow color)
‘Shinano Nishiki’ (3 color variegation; pink flowers)
Comment: All parts of the plant are poisonous
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen Meyers