Daphne

This large genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs was named after a nymph in Greek mythology called Daphne. After being chased by the sun god Apollo, Daphne prayed to her father, who was a river god, to save her. The river god changed her into a bay tree!

Peter Valder's favourite variety is Daphne odora, which is also the most commonly grown daphne in Australian gardens. It is an evergreen shrub growing to about 1m (3') tall. It flowers abundantly from May to October with clusters of very fragrant white to purple flowers. Daphne grows in a wide range of climates, but does particularly well in cool climates. In areas with very cold winters and severe frosts Peter recommends planting in a sheltered spot, for example under a deciduous tree.

Daphnes have a reputation for being very touchy plants. They often drop dead suddenly because they carry virus diseases, which reduce their vigour and make them more susceptible to root rot. A healthy, virus-free daphne will have uniformly dark green, glossy leaves that grow horizontally from the stem. Position daphnes in a sheltered spot with morning sun but protection from hot afternoon sun. An east or south-east aspect is ideal. Daphnes need perfect drainage, so are best planted on a sloping site or in a raised bed where the soil has been built up by about 20-30cm (8-12"). If this is not possible a pot is the next best alternative.

Getting started:

Daphne odorata is available at nurseries, and costs around $25 for a 200mm (8") pot.

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