How to plant and care for Daphne (odora Aureomarginata)

Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata'

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

A small evergreen with gold-edged leaves and clusters of pink flowers in late winter with one of the sweetest scents in the garden. All parts are poisonous.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Growing Daphne (odora Aureomarginata): what it needs

Light: Part shade · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Water well for the first summer, then in dry spells
Soil: Humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil
Spacing: 1 m
Height: 1–1.5 m
In pots: Grows well in containers
Feeding: Balanced feed in spring
Hardiness: USDA zones 7–9

Step by step

On planting day
Plant
Plant at the same depth as it was in its pot, 1 m apart, and firm in.
0–1 days after “Plant”
Water In Well
Give a full can of water, then keep moist for the first few weeks while roots establish.
7–14 days after “Water In Well”
Mulch Around the Base
Spread 5 cm of compost or bark around the plant, keeping it off the stems.

Every year

February
In Flower
Intensely scented flowers — enjoy them on a mild day.
April
Spring Mulch
Mulch with leaf mould. Daphnes dislike moving or pruning — just leave it be.