Daphne odora - Fragrant Daphne

Daphne odora is undoubtedly a most fragrant bush. This evergreen bush also has the advantage of flowering in winter, when the rest of the garden is dormant, delighting both the gardener and the rare bees that search for nectar in this lean season. Its bouquets of small white to pink flowers exude a sweet fragrance, with hints of carnation, jasmine, and hyacinth enhanced by a spicy touch of clove. It is a beautiful acidophilous and semi-shaded plant.

Daphne odora, also known as Winter Daphne, is a bush from the Thymelaeaceae family native to Asia, mainly China and Japan. It is a protected species in Europe. A little sensitive to frost, this acidophilous plant has evergreen foliage in winter, which is ornamental all year round. This slow-growing shrub has a bushy and rounded habit. At maturity, it will reach an average of 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in all directions. Its upright 'candlestick' branches are composed of bare and glabrous lower branches, greyish in colour, and upright branches carrying the foliage. The entire leaves are oblong in shape, thick, and measure 5 cm to 8 cm (2 in to 3.1 in) in length. Their colour is a fairly light green, and is slightly shiny. Flowering takes place from February to April, or from January to March depending on the region. The small waxy flowers are grouped in bouquets at the end of the branches. Each one, born from a button of a purplish pink, opens into a tubular corolla with 4 petals of a tender pink, fading to white. Their fragrance is both very pleasant and volatile, capable of perfuming the garden within a radius of 20 m (65.6 ft)! After pollination by bees, the flowers give way to numerous small red berries, which are quite decorative but toxic if ingested.

Whether in the ground or in a container, place Daphne odora near a pathway to fully enjoy its intoxicating fragrance, in shade or partial shade, in acidic soil, rich in humus, and rather moist. Perfect in a semi-shaded rockery, it integrates well with heathland flowerbeds, in the company of Kalmia, dwarf Rhododendrons, Japanese maples, and camellias. You can also plant it with heathers as well as early-flowering bulbs such as winter aconites, narcissus, and crocuses.

Note: Daphnes are sometimes temperamental plants, and their cultivation can be delicate if the conditions are not suitable. They are best suited for experienced gardeners.