Variegated Winter Daphne
Daphne odora 'Aureo-marginata'
Evergreen shrub prized for beautiful rosy-pink flower buds that open to white, sweetly fragrant flowers in winter and early spring. Green foliage is attractively variegated with a yellow margin. A great foundation plant where soil is well drained. Beautiful against a wall or near a patio or deck where its fragrance can be appreciated. Lovely in a shade garden where its variegated leaves really shine.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | DAF-nay o-DO-ra OW-ree-o-mar-gi-NAH-ta |
| Key feature: | Fragrant |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 7 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Partial sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 4 - 10, 12, 14 - 24, 31 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate grower to 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Round |
| Flower attribute: | Fragrant |
| Special features: | Easy Care |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Rock Garden, Seacoast Exposure, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Early spring |
| Foliage color: | Variegated |
| Item no.: | 3152 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
Daphne is ideal for north- and east-facing beds, against walls and around patio and deck edges, where its scent is enjoyed up close. As a specimen, its variegated leaves are good for lightening shade- garden plantings. Try in groups of three at corners and transitions from path to patio. Can even grow in well-drained containers.
Companion Plants
A perfect light-shade garden plant dainty enough to go with most Azalea, Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace'), the tiny Bloodstone Thrift (Armeria maritima 'Bloodstone'), Fanal Astilbe (Astilbe x arendstii 'Fanal'), with its showy red plumes, Alaskan Fern (Polystichum setiferum) and Green Sheen Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen'), a groundcover with glossy green leaves.
History
Winter daphne is native to China and has been described in that culture's literature and pharmacopoeia for a thousand years. It was also depicted on a Japanese scroll in 1309. the plant was named by Thunberg who first saw it in 18th century Japan and described it in his work, Flora Japonica. The plant was first introduced into Britain via Kew in 1771. The genus contains about 50 species.
Lore
Daphne is named for a female figure in Greek mythology.
Evergreen shrub prized for beautiful rosy-pink flower buds that open to white, sweetly fragrant flowers in winter and early spring. Green foliage is attractively variegated with a yellow margin. A great foundation plant where soil is well drained. Beautiful against a wall or near a patio or deck where its fragrance can be appreciated. Lovely in a shade garden where its variegated leaves really shine.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
Daphne is ideal for north- and east-facing beds, against walls and around patio and deck edges, where its scent is enjoyed up close. As a specimen, its variegated leaves are good for lightening shade- garden plantings. Try in groups of three at corners and transitions from path to patio. Can even grow in well-drained containers.
Companion Plants
A perfect light-shade garden plant dainty enough to go with most Azalea, Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace'), the tiny Bloodstone Thrift (Armeria maritima 'Bloodstone'), Fanal Astilbe (Astilbe x arendstii 'Fanal'), with its showy red plumes, Alaskan Fern (Polystichum setiferum) and Green Sheen Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen'), a groundcover with glossy green leaves.
History
Winter daphne is native to China and has been described in that culture's literature and pharmacopoeia for a thousand years. It was also depicted on a Japanese scroll in 1309. the plant was named by Thunberg who first saw it in 18th century Japan and described it in his work, Flora Japonica. The plant was first introduced into Britain via Kew in 1771. The genus contains about 50 species.
Lore
Daphne is named for a female figure in Greek mythology.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | DAF-nay o-DO-ra OW-ree-o-mar-gi-NAH-ta |
| Key feature: | Fragrant |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 7 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Partial sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 4 - 10, 12, 14 - 24, 31 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate grower to 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Round |
| Flower attribute: | Fragrant |
| Special features: | Easy Care |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Rock Garden, Seacoast Exposure, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Early spring |
| Foliage color: | Variegated |
| Item no.: | 3152 |
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Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is Tree & Shrub Food.view soil products