Daphnes have a reputation for being slow growing, difficult and temperamental to grow and expensive. While their reputation is well deserved on all three counts that is not to say that they cannot be grown perfectly easily in gardens throughout the UK providing a few basic guidelines about their requirements as evergreen or semi evergreen plants are taken into account when planting.
Daphnes prefer to be grown in partial shade or full sun. Daphne laureola will however tolerate full shade. D. bholua varieties, D. pontica and D. odora varieties may well do best in partial shade particularly where their roots are shaded from full sun. Daphnes thrive in well drained moisture retentive soils and detest waterlogged positions as well as areas of the garden which are very dry. Both may well result in quick fatalities as the roots will either rot in the wet or die back in drought conditions. Where your garden is prone to drying out, and the soil is thin, watering is essential in dry periods. Daphne gemmata Daphne odora Daphne pontica Daphne pontica Daphne burkwoodii Astrid Daphne albowiana Daphne Rebecca Daphne Rebecca
Daphnes also hate being moved after planting so select the best position for them carefully from the start.
All daphnes have exquisite scent. This is perhaps their greatest attraction and it is therefore best to plant them near a path or near the house where the scent of the flowers can be appreciated in full.
Daphne plants are prized for their intensely fragrant flowers and attractive foliage, but they can be finicky plants. If your daphne is looking sickly, don’t give up on it yet! With some attentive care, you can often nurse a declining daphne plant back to health. Here’s a step-by-step guide to reviving a daphne plant.
Diagnose the Cause
The first step in reviving a daphne plant is figuring out why it is struggling in the first place. This will allow you to tailor your revival efforts to address the specific problem. Some common reasons daphne plants fail to thrive include:
- Overwatering or underwatering
- Poor drainage
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Pest problems like aphids, mites, or scale
- Diseases like root rot, leaf spot, or powdery mildew
- Exposure to extreme cold
- Excessive heat
- Transplant shock
Closely inspect your daphne for any signs of pests, diseases, or environmental stressors. Check the soil moisture and drainage. Look for yellowing leaves indicating nutrient issues. Knowing the cause of the problem will direct your revival plan.
Improve Growing Conditions
While diagnosing issues take stock of the daphne’s current growing conditions. Daphnes prefer
- Loose, well-draining soil
- Part sun to light shade
- Cool temperatures
- Shelter from wind
- Moderate watering
If needed, modify the environment to create more favorable conditions for your daphne’s recovery. For example, you can improve drainage, provide shade in hot weather, or protect from desiccating winds. Optimizing the growing conditions reduces stress on the plant.
Prune Damaged Areas
Pruning is an important part of reviving a daphne. It removes diseased or pest-ridden parts of the plant so it can direct energy toward new growth. Prune out:
- Dead or dying stems and branches
- Pest-infested leaves and stems
- Sections affected by fungal leaf spot
- Frost damaged parts
Disinfect your pruning tools between cuts to avoid spreading disease Be careful not to overprune, which can further stress the plant.
Treat Pest and Disease Problems
If pests or diseases are present, take prompt action to eliminate them before they spread.
- For aphids, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
- For fungal leaf spot, apply copper fungicide and improve air circulation
- For root rot, prune affected roots and repot in fresh soil
Carefully follow all treatment directions. Act quickly to resolve pest and disease issues so your daphne can recover.
Fertilize the Plant
Nutrient deficiencies are a common cause of daphne decline. Give your plant a nutritional boost by:
- Applying acidic fertilizer formulated for azaleas in early spring
- Working compost into the soil
- Using a potting mix amended with slow-release fertilizer beads
This provides important nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that support plant health.
Provide Attentive Care
A stressed daphne needs some extra TLC. Provide care tailored to its needs:
- Check soil frequently and water when partially dry
- Mist leaves to boost humidity
- Stake drooping stems for support
- Shield from hot sun and wind
- Remove spent blooms and dead leaves
This attentive care helps the daphne conserve energy for recovery rather than struggling to survive.
Be Patient
Reviving a daphne takes time and persistence. Wait 4-6 weeks before expecting signs of new growth. Reduce extra care as the plant recovers to avoid over-pampering it.
With prompt troubleshooting, optimal growing conditions, and attentive care, many daphnes can make a comeback. Don’t give up too soon!
When to Remove the Plant
Sometimes daphnes decline past the point of revival. Signs a daphne is too far gone include:
- Major defoliation with no new growth
- Brittle, dead branches
- Mushy, rotten roots or crown
- No improvement after 6-12 months of care
If your daphne shows no signs of recovery after an extended period of diligent care, it may need to be removed and replaced with a new plant.
Preventing Future Problems
Once your daphne is thriving again, keep it healthy by providing good care:
- Grow in well-draining soil with added organic matter
- Water thoroughly when soil dries out
- Fertilize regularly to prevent nutrient deficiencies
- Prune to remove dead wood and shape the plant
- Monitor for pests and diseases
- Protect from extreme weather fluctuations
With prevention and prompt attention, you can help your daphne plant live a long and healthy life!
Reviving a failing daphne plant is very possible, but it requires persistence and TLC tailored to the cause of the decline. Don’t wait to take action at the first signs of ill health. Proper diagnosis, pruning, pest and disease control, and attentive care can nurse your daphne back to vigor. With time and diligence, your daphne’s sweet fragrance can perfume your garden once again.
Information, Help & Advice
Daphnes have a reputation for being slow growing, difficult and temperamental to grow and expensive. While their reputation is well deserved on all three counts that is not to say that they cannot be grown perfectly easily in gardens throughout the UK providing a few basic guidelines about their requirements as evergreen or semi evergreen plants are taken into account when planting.
Daphnes prefer to be grown in partial shade or full sun. Daphne laureola will however tolerate full shade. D. bholua varieties, D. pontica and D. odora varieties may well do best in partial shade particularly where their roots are shaded from full sun. Daphnes thrive in well drained moisture retentive soils and detest waterlogged positions as well as areas of the garden which are very dry. Both may well result in quick fatalities as the roots will either rot in the wet or die back in drought conditions. Where your garden is prone to drying out, and the soil is thin, watering is essential in dry periods. Daphne gemmata Daphne odora Daphne pontica Daphne pontica Daphne burkwoodii Astrid Daphne albowiana Daphne Rebecca Daphne Rebecca
Daphnes also hate being moved after planting so select the best position for them carefully from the start.
All daphnes have exquisite scent. This is perhaps their greatest attraction and it is therefore best to plant them near a path or near the house where the scent of the flowers can be appreciated in full.
Soil conditions and fertiliser
A neutral soil which is neither acidic nor alkaline will suit all types of daphne.
Daphne mezereum is the most chalk tolerant. D. pontica and D. tangutica, however, need completely lime free conditions. If you intend to grow these then an upraised bed of suitable topsoil would be required.
Humus rich soils are key for all daphnes so, if your soil is sandy or thin, you must add a good deal of organic matter (well rotted dung, leaf mould peat or compost) to the soil before planting.
Daphne laureola and D. mezereum will tolerate heavier more claylike soils than other varieties but, again, plenty of organic matter in the soil is the key.
Since daphne roots need to be kept moist it is a good idea to mulch around the plants to ensure more moisture is retained in the soil in dry conditions.
The best way to kill your daphnes is to add granular or other fertiliser into the planting pit or to the top of the soil afterwards.
A small sprinkling of blood, fish and bone in the planting pit or thereafter annually is more than enough to feed your plants. D. bholua varieties especially will have had no slow release fertiliser in their compost when you purchase them from us. Daphne mezereum
Although all daphne are slow growing (the more dwarf species suitable for rockeries especially so) there is absolutely no need to prune them. Pruning will of course remove the new growths which carry next year’s flowers. Do not do it unless there is some physical damage to the plant.
D. bholua varieties and D. odora varieties have a lifespan of around 20 years. Smaller growing rockery species may well live longer. When they get to the end of their natural lives daphnes tend to flower prolifically, overseed and die quickly. Sometimes the twigs and stems in D. bholua become flattened and subulate just before they turn up their toes. Daphne Jacqueline Postill Daphne Jacqueline Postill D. blolua Mary Rose
Most daphne species are perfectly hardy in UK conditions and can readily tolerate temperatures of minus 10°C. D. bholua varieties are more tender and can probably only tolerate minus 5°C for brief periods. However, in cold winters some forms of D. bholua can and do lose some or all of their leaves with no long term ill effect.
In colder parts of the country, or where your soil is unsuited to growing daphnes, it may therefore be sensible to grow D. bholua varieties in deep pots and bring them inside into the conservatory or greenhouse for the winter. Certainly you will appreciate their scent more there when they flower in January to March.
The reason that all daphnes tend to be expensive is that they are difficult to propagate from cuttings and are normally grafted; usually onto a D. tangutica rootstock.
Some species, in particular D. bholua, can be grown from cuttings in mid to late summer. Semi-ripe new growth should be used for this together with a ‘heel’ where the new growth joined the older stem.
Several daphne species produce viable seed; D. mezereum in particular with us at Burncoose. Remove the fleshy exterior of the seeds and pot in a potting compost with grit. Germination will occur best in a shady spot or a cold frame but usually only in the second year.
Where their growth habit makes it possible daphnes can be propagated by layering but this is a lengthy process which may take up to three years. D. cneorum is perhaps the easiest species to layer.
Daphnes do not suffer from any real pest problems.
The main disease problem is wilting and browning of the leaves or a more general yellowing of the leaves. D. odora varieties are particularly prone to this.
When a daphne is suffering like this the cause is likely to be either insufficient nutrients or, perhaps, the incorrect use of granular fertiliser which can have a similar effect. The other causes, as indicated above, may be waterlogging of the ground or, conversely, drought. Sick Daphne Sick Daphne Sick Daphne Sick Daphne
If you can get your daphnes growing well, in the right situation, with the right soil conditions, most of the perceived problems with growing daphnes generally can readily be overcome.
How to Identify and Fix Daphne Plant Problems #daphne #gardeningtips
FAQ
How to save a dying Daphne?
Yellow leaves and subsequent leaf drop is predominately the result of poor soil. If the plant has been thriving for a season or two and these symptoms occur, drench the plant with a seaweed tonic. This will trigger the roots into action.
Can you revive Daphne?
Answer. Do not despair, your Daphne will regrow and fill in, but first the broken branches need to be removed. In about a month, when you see new growth starting, prune off the broken branch about a ½ inch below the break. Make sure you make a slight diagonal cut to allow rain water to shed off properly.
Does Daphne like Epsom Salts?
Hetty My Daphne leaves tend to go a bit yellow over summer. I have found using epsom salts and some seasol has always helped the bush pick up.
Why is my Daphne plant dying suddenly?
For instance, if the Daphne becomes too dry over summer, the leaves will turn a pale green colour and eventually die. If the soil in the container becomes too wet in winter, similar symptoms are displayed, and the Daphne will die. If possible, it would be better to plant a new Daphne in the soil in the garden.