General Description/History

Daphne is a much-loved garden shrub which flowers in mid to late winter and is noted for its beautiful fragrance. It is often (quite rightly) suggested that a Daphne bush is best planted near a doorway, as the scent can fill the house during warm late winter days.

Stems are very short and are topped with clusters of small flowers, white inside and purple-pink outside. Leaves are dark green with a prominent mid-rib and spear-shaped.

Daphne is grown as a field crop close to capital cities. Most are grown in Victoria, NSW and QLD.

What to look for

• Flowers that are fully open.
• Strong scent.
• Leaves that are fresh and green;
• Avoid flowers that are closed.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool at all times.
2. Strip leaves from the lower half of each stem.
3. Recut 1 cm off each stem with sharp secateurs and place in cold water immediately.
4. Preservative is needed – it will help flowers to last and maintain the fragrance.
5. Replace water every day.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

Daphne is poisonous if eaten.

It has a long history of cultivation: Daphne odora was being grown in Chinese gardens by the Sung period, 960-1279 AD.

Botanical Name: Daphne odora

Common Names: Daphne, Winter Daphne

Stem Length: 20 to 40 cm

Country of Origin: Western China

Available Colours: Pink, Purple, White

Season: Autumn,Winter

Availability: May,June,July