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Daphne cneorum var. pygmaea
Rose Daphne
Plant Type:
DECIDUOUS SHRUBSDaphne cneorum var. pygmaea – Rose Daphne. Early blooming, it begins its bloom cycle in April ending in May and is so fully covered with intensely fragrant clusters of pink flowers that it transforms into a solid pink rug. All D. cneorum are virtually evergreen, hardy well into USDA zone 4. But in some winters the foliage has burned terribly yet it always recovers quickly the following spring. Though these plants can grow from 8” to 12” tall depending upon the cultivar, in my cactus garden D. c. var. pygmaea is no more than 6” tall. I have mine planted adjacent to Pasque Flowers, Pulsatilla vulgaris, in a very lean mix where they put on an amazing early season show before the cacti have their season in the sun. This coupling extends wonderful color and strong interest in our xeric garden.
Characteristics and Attributes for Daphne cneorum var. pygmaea
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / Autumn
Nature Attraction
- Deer Resistant
Light
- Full Sun
Attributes
- Border
- Drought Tolerant
- Edging
- Rock Garden
- Fragrant
- Bank
- Ground Cover
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Slow
Soil
- Scrabbled
- Average
- Sandy
- Calcareous
- Draining
Origins
- Russia to Spain
Propagated By
- Cutting Grown
Genus Overview: Daphne
Daphnes are shrubby members of Thymelaeaceae. Many have thrived in our xeric garden which provides a deep root run, good drainage with no extra water during droughts. We add dolomitic limestone to the planting holes when initially interring them. Most have fragrance which is heavenly, perfuming the air near where they bloom. We have observed those that flower or rebloom in summer draw hummingbirds.
For all the discussion about their finicky personalities we have found them mostly quite easy to please in the ground though they, as a group, are largely not happy in containers for long; in containers death visits frequently - especially the yearlings - and it is as annoying as frustrating! As my good friend, Jonathan Lehrer, has told me on occasion, “Daphnes will never be a mainstream shrub because even the easy ones will up and die suddenly for no apparent reason.” My feeling is nothing goes on living forever; for all of their remarkable qualities they are worth growing for as long as they choose to be around! Certainly, the hybrids (x burkwoodii and x transatlantica) exhibit exceptional hybrid vigor, strength and ease of establishment.
Snow loads in the north can be an issue on taller growers, therefore, I suggest pruning older plants after flowering to ensure stouter, bushier shrubs that may better counteract weighty winter precipitation. After pruning they recover beautifully and quickly. Also, all that flower in summer are attractive to hummingbirds. Most of our selections come to us gratis from John Bieber who lives on Long Island, longtime lover of all things Daphne. Most of our Daphnes are cutting grown. There are exceptions including D. alpina which has been completely resistant from stem cuttings; these will be seed grown when we do have them available which may be infrequently!