As drab and cold as it is outdoors, there is a spring flowering shrub with a beautiful citrus-like fragrance that is now in full bloom.
Daphne odora or winter daphne is an evergreen shrub that blooms in late winter with extremely fragrant flowers. This shrub is a must for those who appreciate extremely fragrant flowers.
Daphne is a very attractive, sparsely-branched evergreen shrub, reaching about 3-4 feet in height and spread. There are many varieties but the most common variety, Aureomarginata, has leaves with a narrow, erratic yellow margin. The plant produces terminal clusters of small flowers in late February and early March that are crystalline white inside, deep purplish-pink outside.
But the daphne’s bloom is overshadowed by the citrus-like scent, one of the most fragrant of any flower. The scent of daphne is very similar to Osmanthus fragrans, an evergreen shrub with a rather insignificant fall bloom.
Fortunately, the flower clusters keep well in water, adding a welcome breath of spring and beautiful scent to our homes or offices. An ideal location for this shrub is near a well-traveled path or an outdoor courtyard where its fragrance can be conveniently appreciated.
The plant is not the easiest to grow, but many have mastered its cultural requirements. The shrub does not appreciate soils with poor drainage. Ideally, a deep, well-drained woodland soil with plenty of humus is best for this shrub. It can tolerate sun or shade but does best in a protected area of full sun. The plant needs to be carefully irrigated during periods of drought. The plant does not heal well over cuts into mature wood, so pruning is best avoided. However, pinching or taking cuttings from the tips of long shoots on the current year’s growth makes the plant much bushier and more floriferous.
Cuttings can be difficult to root, but Master Gardener volunteers have been able to successfully propagate the plant. These plants do not like heavy rooting medium. Make sure the media is well drained for optimum rooting conditions.
Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County; call 704-216-8970; Web site, http://www.rowanmastergardener. com.