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“Oh, I love daphnes, but aren’t they finicky?” I get this comment a lot this time of year as people gaze wistfully at our nursery’s daphne collection. I’m at a bit of a loss to respond because I love these spring-blooming shrubs, can heartily recommend them and yet have heard many a story about daphne heartbreak.

The short answer for daphnes is: Give them conditions they like and you’ll be rewarded with years of beauty and heavenly scent. Everyone is familiar with the shade-tolerant Daphne odora, but there is a whole world of daphnes out there to be discovered.

One of my favorites is D. x transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’. It’s a bit cliche to say a plant is aptly named, so let’s just say that ‘Eternal’ is one of the longest bloomers in the daphne genus. Once established, it will flower from April to November, an unusually long period for any shrub, let alone a daphne.

Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’ forms a compact, bushy shrub, about 24 to 30 inches tall and wide, and features rosy pink buds that open to creamy white flowers. Even by daphnes’ high standards, the blooms on ‘Eternal Fragrance’ are intensely sweet. In fact, this plant should come with a caution: “Inhaling fragrance may cause temporary amnesia,” as in: “I came out in the garden to do something, but now I’ve forgotten what that was.”

Daphnes are also misunderstood in a few other ways. In milder places in the Bay Area, they’ll be happiest in a good amount of sun, especially this hybrid. Not only will the plant perform better, but having sufficient sun will extend its bloom season. And you’ll naturally want to plant this handsome evergreen shrub near a walkway, entrance or frequented area in your garden to enjoy its heady aroma and attractive deep-green foliage. Because of its modest size, ‘Eternal Fragrance’ can easily be displayed in a container, which might give certain gardeners the flexibility to position it for maximum effect. Daphnes are deer resistant, adding to their versatility.

Another misconception about daphnes is that they are “thirsty” plants. Not true. Daphnes require a minimal amount of water once they are established. In fact, the leading cause of this shrub’s early demise is poor-draining soil and overwatering (that and being planted in too much shade).

Did you know?

Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’ was introduced into Britain in 2005, before it was available in the United States. It’s a cross between D. caucasica and D. collina.

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full to partial sun in coastal areas and in filtered sun in hotter zones. Mulch to keep roots cool. Deep water weekly in first year, then cut back once plant is established. Protect from cold winds. Daphnes don’t like to be disturbed once they’ve been planted. They do well left in pots large enough to give their roots space. Hardiness zone 6, though it may go deciduous in zones 6 and 7. Note: Ingestion of leaves may cause severe discomfort.

Pests

Southern blight, crown and root rot, aphids and scale insects are common.

Availability

You can find this and other daphne species at Sloat Garden Center in San Francisco, Grand Lake Ace Garden Center in Oakland and Orchard Nursery in Lafayette.

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