Daphne oleoides
olive-leaved daphne
A dwarf evergreen shrub ofvariable habit, usually under 60cm tall, forming low hummocks. Leaves are almost stalkless, squareish and bristle-tipped, glossy above and downy below when young. Flowers are white, cream or yellowish, sometimes pink tipped, borne in terminal clusters in late spring and early summer, scented. Fruits are orange-red
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Pink White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Orange Red | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Thymelaeaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- 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 to Himalaya
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained but not dry soil in sun or part shade; tolerant of deep shade. Mulch to keep roots cool. Will not tolerate root disturbance and so resents transplanting
Propagation
Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Propagate by greenwood or softwood cuttings from spring to early summer and semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Banks and slopes
Pruning
Pruning group 1 if necessary but pruning is best kept 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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