GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Trees and Shrubs

Success with Daphnes

Plants reward us in many ways, but those which provide fragrance tend to move to the top of our list of favorites. Daphnes are definitely close to the top in that respect. Their scent is sweet and penetrating.

Two species, Daphne odora and D. mezereum, offer pink blooms in late winter. Daphne burkwoodii, snowy D. caucausica, lilac-flowered D. genkwa, and the shrublet Rock Daphne (D. cneorum) usually bloom in May.

We are blessed in the Northwest with a climate that lends itself to growing all these types of daphnes. Our only drawback is our excessive winter rainfall. This presents a problem because daphnes require "perfect" drainage. For those of us with less than perfect drainage, raised beds or mounding will usually solve the problem. Our winter rains also result in acidic soils. Daphne odora is fairly forgiving of that, but the others all require soil pH between 6 and 7. PH test kits and meters are readily available, and lime will sweeten your soil. (Remember, lime will probably be needed yearly. You can add it the same time you fertilize.)

Daphne odora also prefers less light than the others, doing best with morning sun or lightly filtered shade. The others like a bit more, but none requires full sun all day. And be sure to site them where you can enjoy the scent as well as the sight!

By following these tips you can be successful with Daphnes.

By Bill Bloomfield, W.C.N.
Skylights Winter/Spring 2001, Vol 15, No. 1

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