Daphnes 2008-2009

[mark smyth]

Is it a good idea to keep all Daphnes together so we can all enjoy them in one place and lust after them?

My Daphne 'Jacqueline Postill' up to this year has always looked like it was about to die. The problem seemed to be that it was grafted on ?D. longituba and it was taking over. It is a good plant itself because it flowers in the summer and has very nice orange berries. Last year I cut off the growths and 'Jacqueline' within weeks began to come back to life. Today it's about to flower and has the most buds since I've had it.

[Maggi Young]

I do enjoy seeing the detail on thee furry buds.
Great colour for Christmas Day....is your sun still shining? We had a brighter start to the day, but it's overcast now and looking like rain any minute 

[4moreaction]

just wondering how common it is in other parts of europe/globe to grow the northern daphne mezereum..? It being so very cold hardy & floriferous... It would be interesting to know what cultivars there are in your gardens growing, as well?

And I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

[Michael J Campbell]

Mark, your Daphne was most likely  grafted on D. Longilobata

[David Shaw]

Matti
We have one or two Daphne mezereum and a D. m. alba growing happily in our garden in northern Scotland and have no problem with them. They readily self seed around. As far as I know they are not named cultivars.

[mark smyth]

Yes Michael you are correct.

Matti I also grow D. mezereum in three forms - red, white and dwarf white

[johnw]

Martk - Locals grow Daphne mezereum and lucky ones have the white form which breeds true I'm told.

This species is naturalized in certain areas of Nova Scotia. It is said to have been brought over by the early Acadians in the 1600's.

Even with our late Springs here both February Daphnes (type and white) manage to bloom in late March here despite the temperature. Some years it blooms a month earlier.

Can you tell me more about the red form and the intriguing dwarf white?

Mild today and the snow disappear overnight.  However the temperature will plummet tonight and then get mild for a few days.

johnw

[4moreaction]

the cultivar daphne mezereum 'rubra' is, as I understand the most common available in the trade... unfortunately it seems as if it very often is marred by virus infection... =(... it's sad since it seem like it has been inflicted by the constant propagation vegetatively! I think we should refresh it by using the method of sowing those seeds that daphne gives so abundantly!   The white that is offered is as well too seldom available since it has the advantage of having very beautiful yellow berries as bonus... andloads of those super fragrant flowers...

Mark... is the dwarf cultivar you have also constant when sown from seeds?  It spound like a real treat...  hmm... would be an asset to my garden

[mark smyth]

John the 'red' one is I think the same as 'Rubrum'. My label simply said red form. I cant remember where I got the dwarf form from. It's growth is more horizontal than upright. The first flower is already out on mine

[Otto Fauser]

Matti,
 even here in Australia , in elevated , cooler regions ,like the one I live here, Daphne
 mezereum is very easy to grow -so easy from seed , particular the m. 'rubra' is extremely floriferous , more than the white form.
   Maggi,
  no snow here over the Christmas days ,but sunshine and 28 C. , and amongst other
 lilies there are L. duchartrei , cernuum and nepalense in full bloom,
  with my Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to all,
       Otto.

[Giles]

Matti,
D.mezereum in flower today.
Also D.laureola 'Margaret Mathew' (large flowers) and D.laureola subsp. philippi (small flowers)

[Giles]

and for buds, D.bholua var. glacialis 'Gurkha'
and D.odora 'Aureomarginata'.

[David Shaw]

On Christmas Day Matti asked about Daphne mezereum in our gardens. Since e then we have endured a week and a half of below zero temperatures dipping to -10C on several occasions and maybe as low as -15C on one occasion. This without any snow cover at all. Today the temperature has risen above zero (4C) and I have noticed that our Daphne mezereum alba has just started into flower

[David Nicholson]

It's warmer up there than it is down here today David, I had below zero temerature in the greenhouse last night for the first time this year.

I have no experience of Daphnes but last year I bought a plant of Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' from a garden centre, mainly because it was reduced in an end of season sale, cost me a fiver. I planted it out in a stony part of the garden with some added grit below the root ball and although it hasn't passed on it's never really looked healthy. Here it is today-should I do anything to it or just leave it and see what happens please?

[mark smyth]

David some do lose their leaves. Mine does especially since the freeze last month