Native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, this evergreen shrub is known for the fragrance of its blooms. Clusters of small bright pink flowers are produced in April and sometimes sporadically in summer. The plant is 6-8″ tall and has a medium texture with narrow dark green leaves that are up to one inch long. Dense and twiggy, the plant forms a low, trailing mass so is especially attractive as a small-scale ground cover or in a rock garden. Sighting it near an outdoor living space or entrance allows its fragrance to be appreciated. Rose Daphne does not transplant well and has a reputation for being difficult to grow. Once established it should not be moved. Several cultivars are available including dwarf and variegated forms. 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,cneorum, is from the Greek word kneōron, referring to a plant resembling an olive.
Type: Flowering evergreen shrub
Outstanding Feature: Fragrant flowers
Form: Low growing dense, twiggy mass
Growth Rate: Slow
Bloom: Bright pink, fragrant flowers borne in umbels in April to May and sporadically in summer.
Size: 6-8” H x 3” W
Light: Bright light with protection from hot sun; tolerates more sun if moisture adequate but dislikes wet feet.
Soil: Average, moist, well-drained, neutral to slightly acid; care must be taken to water during periods of drought in summer.
Hardiness: Zones 5-7
Care: Mulch in summer to keep the roots cool in hot climates; prune after flowering if desired.
Pests and Diseases: cankers, crown roots, leaf spot, mealy bugs, scale, aphids
Propagation: Seed, cuttings
Outstanding Selection: ‘Ruby Glow’ (dark pink flowers on 12” shrub).
Comment: All parts of the plant are poisonous
Photo Credit Wikipedia
Karen Meyers