Daphne mezereum
Approx. 0.5 litre pot
About this cultivar:
Daphne mezereum, commonly known as February daphne, mezereon, mezereum, spurge laurel or spurge olive. Wonderfully scented white-pink flowers in spring turn into red berries which poison people but benefit birds! Daphne mezereum is a Northern European native - a perfect Daphne for our climate.
- Position: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
- Flowers: February, March
- Other features: Grows well in Ballyrobert, Scented
- Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
- Habit: Bushy
- Foliage: Deciduous
- Height: 90 - 150 cm (3 - 5 ft)
- Spread: 60 - 120 cm (2 - 4 ft)
- Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
- Plant type: Shrub
- Colour: Green, white, pink
- Goes well with: -
About this genus:
Daphne (in Greek meaning "laurel") is a genus of between 50 and 95 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs in the Thyme family (Thymelaeaceae), native to Asia, Europe and north Africa. They are noted for their poisonous berries and scented flowers; few plants can offer such a sweet smell that wafts through the air in February and March.
The flowers can range in colour but most of the evergreen species have greenish flowers, while the deciduous species tend to have pink flowers. Many species flower in late winter or very early spring.
Usually they can grow anywhere that isn't a desert or pond - but err on the side of dryness; full sun or partial shade. In the garden place them is a position where you often walk by - that way you are guaranteed to take advantage of their wonderful smell!
