Daphne odora Maejima

The Daphne odora Maejima is a delightful variety of fragrant Daphne recently obtained in Japan. It is distinguished by foliage bordered with yellow, brighter than that of the Aureovariegata cultivar, but also by an upright and more compact habit. This evergreen bush in the shape of a 'candelabra' also charms, but especially with its long, abundant and beautifully fragrant deep pink flowering, which can be enjoyed from February onwards. It is a hardy, rare and precious plant for enlivening partially shaded areas of the garden or rockery in winter. Provide it with a very well-drained, dry soil in summer, poor, neutral to acid, and gently sunny exposure.

The Daphne odora, also called 'Fragrant Wood', 'Fragrant Wood Gentian' or 'Winter Daphne', is an evergreen bush of the family Thymelaeaceae native to Asia, mainly China and Japan. While this beautiful acidophilous species is sensitive to frost, it has produced many cultivars that are much more cold-resistant and easier to grow, with enhanced ornamental qualities.

The fragrant daphne 'Maejima' shows a rather slow growth and a bushy, upright, semi-dwarf habit. At maturity, it will reach about 90 cm (35.4 in) in height and 70 cm (27.6 in) in spread. Its upright 'candlestick' branches are composed of bare, glabrous, greyish lower branches and upright branches carrying the evergreen foliage. The entire leaves are oblong, thick, and measure 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3.1 in) in length. Their colour is a light green with a wide yellow border, more or less pale to almost white. Flowering takes place from February to April, or from January to March depending on the climate. The small waxy flowers are grouped in clusters at the end of the branches. Each one, arising from a bud of purplish pink, opens into a tubular corolla with 4 petals of true pink. Their fragrance is both very pleasant and volatile, capable of perfuming the garden within a radius of 20 m (65 ft 7 in)! This complex fragrance, both sweet and rustic, reminiscent of carnation, jasmine, hyacinth, enhanced with a spicy hint of cloves and lemony notes.

Whether in the ground or in a container, place the Daphne odora Maejima near a pathway to enjoy its intoxicating fragrance, in shade or partial shade, in an acidic, humus-rich and moist soil. The bush does not tolerate heatwaves but is ok with dry soils in summer. Perfect for a partially shaded rockery, it blends well with heather beds in the company of Kalmias, dwarf Rhododendrons, Japanese maples, camellias. You can also accompany it with heathers as well as winter aconite, daffodils or crocuses.

Note: Daphnes can be high-maintenance and difficult to cultivate. They are best suited for experienced gardeners.