Daphne Spring Beauty

An intensely fragrant shrub which will scent the air for metres round, Daphne bholua Spring Beauty is a medium-sized, slow-growing, evergreen shrub with a slender, upright habit and elliptical, deep green, evergreen leaves. Clusters of wonderfully scented flowers, larger than those of most daphnes, open from March; they are a very deep pink in bud and paler pink within, and more may appear occasionally over the rest of the year. Keep pruning to a minimum, and plant where the roots can be shaded. Daphne Spring Beauty is lovely in a winter border, or near the house where the scent can be appreciated, but be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, and the sap is an irritant. Not for very cold or exposed gardens.

Site: Sheltered
Soils: Well-drained, moist, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline soil
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Season of interest: All year, particularly in spring
Hardiness: Borderline hardy
Height to 13’ (4m) Spread to 5’ (1.5m)