How to Grow and Prune this Fragrant Shrub Daphne Odora

Daphne odora is a relatively small evergreen shrub with an enormous fragrance. Its pink and white flowers appear in late winter and early spring.

It is one of those plants where positioning is particularly important.

Where to plant

Place Daphne near a path, doorway, patio or seating area so that its fragrance can be appreciated.

Give it shelter from strong winds and excellent drainage.

Partial shade or gentle morning sunshine is usually suitable.

Care

Daphne dislikes being moved once established, so choose its planting position carefully.

Keep the soil moderately moist but never waterlogged.

Do not overfeed.

A light organic mulch can be useful, provided it is kept away from the main stem.

When to prune

Daphne generally needs little or no routine pruning.

If pruning is necessary, do it immediately after flowering.

How to prune

Remove dead or damaged stems.

Shorten individual wayward shoots back to a healthy branch or bud.

Avoid cutting heavily into old wood. Daphne can be slow to recover from severe pruning.

Key tip: With Daphne, choosing the right position is far more important than tryingto control its shape through regular pruning.