Daphnes are small shrubs that grow in part shade and are noted for very fragrant flowers. They generally bloom in the winter when few other shrubs are blooming.

 

Daphne odora ‘Aureo-marginata’

 

Daphne odora ‘Maejima’

This is an example of how the nursery trade produces a new variety. A plant with green leaves like this Daphne all of a sudden produces a branch with different leaves. The branch is allowed to grow and cuttings are made from this branch. The cuttings are rooted in a greenhouse and over a period of 5-10 years more plants are propagated and eventually put on the market.

Daphne ‘Summer Ice’

Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’ blooms in May & June.

Daphne odora ‘Alba’  This is a variety with white flowers and green leaves. Blooms in February & March.

This shows the size of a Daphne odora ‘Aureo-marginata ‘ that is about 10 years old – 3′ wide and 2’ tall.

Daphne odora ‘Zuiko Nishiki’ is a green leaved variety from Japan.

Daphne odora ‘Moonlight Parfait’

Daphne odora ‘Rebecca’

Daphne burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie’

 

Daphne ‘Gwenka’ is one of the few Daphnes that is not fragrant. It is a deciduous shrub. This picture was taken in Japan.

The Paper Bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) is in the same family as Daphne and it blooms at the same time – January – March. It is also fragrant.