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Shrubs

Daphne arbuscula

shrubby daphne

A rounded, dwarf evergreen shrub to 15cm tall, with narrowly oblong, dark glossy green leaves to 18mm long. Flowers deep pink, very fragrant, in dense clusters at the ends of the shoots in late spring and early summer

© RHS 1999
© RHS 1999
© RHS 1999
© RHS 1999
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Green Brown
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Thymelaeaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
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
Czech Rep. Hungary Slovakia

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How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich well-drained but not dry soil. Mulch to keep roots cool. Prefers slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Resents transplanting

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Insert softwood cuttings in early to mid-summer, and semi-ripe and evergreen cuttings in mid or late summer. Graft in winter or layer in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 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

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.