Daphne alpina
alpine daphne
An upright, deciduous shrub to 60cm, with downy shoots and hairy, grey-green leaves to 4cm long. In late spring and early summer it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers at the stem tips; these are followed by fleshy, spherical, orange-red fruit
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red Orange | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Thymelaeaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten, skin 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil in full sun. Mulch annually in spring with well-rotted organic matter to keep the roots cool. See daphne cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe; take semi-ripe heel cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
See pruning groups 1 and 8; 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
Get involved
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