Daphne × napolitana
Neapolitan mezereon
A compact evergreen shrub to 75cm, with blunt dark green leaves to 3cm in length, and terminal clusters of small, fragrant rosy-purple flowers fading slightly with age
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Thymelaeaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile well-drained soils in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade. Not reliably hardy in exposed conditions. Resents transplanting
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer, grafting in winter or layering in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases
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