Gardens exist for three major reasons: to maintain the balance of nature, to feed the body and to please the senses. There is nothing more exotic and pleasurable (well, we could debate that) than arriving at someone’s front door and being overcome by an intoxicating fragrance. The Daphne must take pride of place at the entrance to a home as the powerful and sensual perfume is not only welcoming for guests arriving, but is as delightful for the homeowners, enticing them outdoors. It is the feng shui of fragrance.   The added bonus of the Daphnes is that they are winter flowering and will provide colour and fragrance when much of the garden is dormant. From mid-winter on into spring the shrub produces clusters of small, starry, flowers. Several flower and foliage forms are available and the variety with yellow-edged leaves, 'Variegata' is often hardier and easier to grow.   

Daphne odora (Leucantha) is the most commonly grown species. It is native to China and has been cultivated in Japan for centuries. It is frost tender but will survive in temperate regions. Daphne bholua, which originates in the Himalayas can be evergreen or deciduous, both of which have fabulous perfume. Daphne cameo has an unusual apricot colour in contrast to the mostly pink varieties.  Daphnes prefer cool, well-aerated, gritty, humus-rich soil. They will not forgive you for moving them - they are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in position when young and left there to mature. They can be incorporated into the general planting scheme as well as taking pride of place in the vicinity of the front door.  

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