Variegated Pink Winter Daphne - Single Trunk Topiary Tree - 1 Gallon Pot
$55.98
Sale price
$55.98
Regular price
$66.00
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Variegated Pink Winter Daphne - Single Trunk Topiary Tree - 1 Gallon Pot
$55.98
Sale price
$55.98
Regular price
$66.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description
Variegated Pink Winter Daphne - Tree Form Topiary
Daphne odora 'Aureo-marginata'
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 4-5'
Width at Maturity: 3-4'
Spacing: 2-3' for solid hedges; 6'+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Dense, Rounded, Single Trunk Tree Form
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, White
Flower Size: Medium, 1.5" cluster
Flowering Period: Late Winter thru Early Spring
Flower Type: Cluster
Fragrant Flowers: Yes - highly fragrant!
Foliage Color: Dark Green edged in Yellow
Fragrant Foliage: No
Sun Needs: Shade or Mostly Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, Filtered All Day Sun
Water Needs: Low when established
Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Lightly Moist
Soil pH: 6.0 - 7.0 (Moderately Acid to Neutral)
Maintenance / Care: Very Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer - more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Heavy Shade, Insect
Description
This is the rare, single-trunk tree form version of Variegated Pink Winter Daphne, a superstar of an evergreen flowering shrub. When Winter Daphne begins to bloom in late winter it heralds - with its intoxicating perfume - the promise of spring. Its attractive, glossy, evergreen, deep green leaves are edged in gold on a canopy that might reach 3 to feet wide over time. The highly fragrant blooms of Variegated Winter Daphne are crystalline white inside and purplish pink outside. Winter Daphne usually begins blooming sometime in January or February (depending on climate) and continues through March or April. The flowers are good for cutting and last well in a flower arrangement. Winter Daphne is ideal for use as a specimen in shady landscape borders and woodland gardens. They are excellent for use under the canopies of large shade trees or planted near windows, patios, decks, porches and other outdoor living spaces where the wonderful fragrance can be enjoyed.
PLEASE NOTE: Daphne are one of the easiest plants to take care of once established, however, to achieve successful establishment it is very important to plant them right. They will thrive when planted in the right spot that meets their specific cultural needs. This is not a plant for the faint of heart, as they can die easily if not planted or taken care of properly during the establishment period.
Here are some tips that will help you to have the most success in growing Daphne...
Planting And Caring For Winter Daphne Plants
Despite the remarkable variety of gardening myths about its requirements, established Winter Daphne is very hardy and easy to care for in your garden. That said, Daphne plants much prefer growing in the ground than in containers. Though some have had long term success growing Daphne in containers, we advise against it. Also note that Daphne do not like to have their roots disturbed, so choose what will be a permanent planting site and be careful to disturb the roots as little as possible during the transplanting process.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know...
Cultural Preferences
Soil Preferences
Winter Daphne will thrive a wide variety of soils of average fertility, including amended clay. It prefers a moist, humusy, sandy, very well-drained soil. As with so many other types of ornamental shrubs, constantly soggy or wet soils are problematic. So make sure to plant your Winter Daphne in well-drained soil. Daphne much prefer growing in the ground than in containers. Though some have had long term success growing Daphne in containers, we advise against it.
How To Test Soil Drainage
If you are uncertain about soil drainage in the area you intend to plant your Winter Daphne, it's well worth taking the time to test the drainage before planting.
To test soil drainage, dig a hole 12" wide by 12" deep in the planting area. Fill the hole with water and let it drain. Then, after it drains, fill it with water again, but this time clock how long it takes to drain. In well-drained soil the water level will go down at a rate of about 1 inch an hour, which is fine for Daphne. A faster rate, such as in loose, sandy soil, may signal potentially dry site conditions, which is fine for Daphne. A slower rate indicates poor draining soil and is a caution you need to improve drainage, plant in a raised mound or bed, or look for plants that are more tolerant of wet or boggy conditions.
Soil pH
Winter Daphne grows best in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Most average garden soils fall between this range.
Testing Soil pH
Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil and whether or not it's suitable for growing Winter Daphne, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area.
You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make it more alkaline), you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid), you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.
Learn More: What is Soil pH and How To Adjust It?
Light Preferences
Winter Daphne thrives in part shade to deep shade. They don't like direct sunlight during the afternoon. Early to mid-morning and evening sun or all-day heavily filtered sun to full shade are okay. Morning sun with afternoon shade or all-day dappled shade is fine. Avoid exposure to direct afternoon sun.
How To Plant Winter Daphne Shrubs
Scroll down for container planting instructions
Step 1
Start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and as deep, or not much deeper, than the root ball of your plant. The wider the hole, the better. Place native soil removed from the planting hole around the perimeter of the hole, in a wheel barrow, or on a tarp.
Step 2
Depending on the type, fertility, and porosity of the soil in the planting area, it may be beneficial to amend the native soil. When planting in heavy clay soil mix bagged top soil or a good planting mix at a 50/50 ratio with the soil to enhance porosity and ensure good drainage. If the soil in the planting site tends to stay wet for a while after a rain or irrigation, consider planting in a raised mound.
Step 3
To remove your Winter Daphne plant from the nursery container it was grown in, it is best to use a snipping tool to cut the container away. Daphne do not like to have their roots disturbed, so choose a permanent planting site and be careful to disturb the roots as little as possible during the transplanting process.
CAUTION: There is no need to loosen feeder roots before planting. Damaging the roots can cause serious harm to the plant.
Step 4
Set your Winter Daphne in the planting hole so that the top edge of the root ball is slightly above ground level to allow for settling. To achieve proper planting height, some of your backfill soil mixture may need to be placed in the bottom of the hole. When planting in soil that drains more slowly, consider planting your Daphne in a raised mound to ensure good drainage and avoid wet soil.
NOTE: If the soil is poorly drained, which means it stays constantly soggy or wet for long periods after rainfall or irrigation, take measures to improve soil drainage or select another plant species more tolerant of wet soils.
Step 5
After setting your Winter Daphne in the planting hole, use one hand to hold the plant straight while using your other hand to begin backfilling the soil mixture around the root ball, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Again, be careful not to damage the roots during the backfilling process. When you have filled the hole to the halfway point you can soak the soil. Then continue backfilling to the top edge of the root ball. To avoid suffocating your plant, avoid placing any soil on top of the root ball.
Note: If you are planting with the top of the root ball higher than ground level taper your soil mixture gradually from the top edge of the root ball to the ground level, as shown in the illustration above.
Step 6
Next, deeply water the planting area, including the root ball, to a depth equal to the height of the root ball.
Note: Allow soil to dry out before watering again.
Step 7
Apply a thin, 1/2 to 1-inch layer of shredded wood or straw mulch around your newly planted Daphne. Avoid using freshly chipped or shredded wood for mulch until it has cured in a pile for at least 6 months; a year is better. Avoid placing or piling mulch directly against the base of the shrub, as this could cause problems with the bark.
Apply a thin, 1/2 to 1-inch layer of shredded wood or straw mulch around your newly planted Daphne. Avoid using freshly chipped or shredded wood for mulch until it has cured in a pile for at least 6 months; a year is better. Avoid placing or piling mulch directly against the base of the shrub, as this could cause problems with the bark.
How To Plant a Winter Daphne in A Container
Though some gardeners have had long-term success growing Daphne in pots and other containers, know that they much prefer growing in the ground. Daphne growing in containers seems to suffer during the heat of summer when their roots are exposed to warmer air temperatures.
Winter Daphne plants growing in pots appreciate a damp to lightly moist but well-drained soil. Constantly soggy or wet soil is problematic. Therefore, when planting a Daphne in a pot or other container, we suggest using a pot with drainage hole and filling it with a quality potting soil or potting mix, or a 50/50 combination thereof. To ensure good drainage you can add 20% perlite or pumice to the soil mixture.
Choose a container large enough to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth before shifting to a larger container. This might mean your planting pot's rim diameter is 4 to 6 inches or more than the root ball of your Winter Daphne.
Container color will matter as well. Not only will you want to pick a color of container that goes well with the flower and foliage color of your Winter Daphne, you'll also want to pick a container that matches the style of your home or other structures and other plants in the surrounding environment.
Many nursery and garden centers offer a wide variety of containers to choose from. Before heading out to buy a container, take pictures of your home and the surrounding environment. Doing so will help you choose just the right color and style.
Container Planting Instructions
Step 1
Before filling your container with the soil mix, we recommend lining the bottom with shade cloth or a porous landscape fabric. This will keep the drain holes from becoming stopped up with soil or roots. If you place gravel or other materials in the bottom of the container lay the fabric over it.
Step 2
To remove your Winter Daphne plant from the nursery container it was grown in, it is best to use a snipping tool to cut the container away. Daphne do not like to have their roots disturbed, so choose a permanent planting site and be careful to disturb the roots as little as possible during the transplanting process.
CAUTION: There is no need to loosen feeder roots before planting. Damaging the roots can cause serious harm to the plant.
Step 3
Pour a small amount of your soil mixture into the bottom of the container. Set the plant in the container and make necessary adjustments by adding or removing some soil so that the top edge of the root ball will sit 1/2 to 1 inch below the rim of the container.
Step 4
Backfill with your potting soil around the root ball, tamping as you go, until the level of the potting soil is even with the top edge of the root ball. Again, be careful to disturn the roots as little as possible when backfilling.
Step 5
Water thoroughly until water starts to drain from the holes in the bottom of the container. Add more potting mix if settling occurs during watering.
Note: Allow soil to dry out before watering again.
Step 6 (Optional)
A thin layer of wood chips can be applied to the soil surface for decoration.
How To Care For Winter Daphne Plants
How To Fertilize Daphne Plants
Winter Daphne are light feeders that, when planted in a woodland environment, can usually get most if not all the nutrients they need from the soil and decomposing leaves and other organic matter. If you must feed them, we suggest feeding very lightly after flowering with a slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer or a mild natural, organic plant food. Though we do not suggest growing Daphne long-term in containers, plants growing in containers can be fed lightly in spring with a slow-release or water-soluble fertilizer listed for use in containers.
Soil pH
Winter Daphne grows best in moderately acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0. Most average garden soils fall between this range.
Testing Soil pH
Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil and whether or not it's suitable for growing Winter Daphne, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area.
You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make it more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid), you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.
Learn More: What is Soil pH and How To Adjust It?
How To Water A Winter Daphne Plant
Daphne requires well-draining soil that never stays wet for too long. Constantly soggy or wet soil is a killer. Around 2007 scientists did research on Sudden Daphne Death Syndrome (SDDS) and found that Daphne as a species is highly prone to root rot infections. Since root rot is caused by soil-borne fungi that are ubiquitous, meaning found everywhere in the natural environment, and these fungi become active on plant roots in wet soils, well-drained soil, and proper watering are vital for the establishment and long-term health of the plant. Young, recently planted Daphne plants prefer a damp to lightly moist soil. Established plants require little, if any, water, which is what makes them so easy to care for when established.
Tip: When watering with an automated irrigation system it's best to set your timer to water during the early morning hours and not in the late evening or at night, which can lead to the onset of fungus and other foliar diseases. During the first few weeks after planting, check soil moisture often and adjust irrigation time if necessary to maintain a damp to lightly moist soil, not wet!
At Planting Time
Immediately after planting deep soak the soil in the planting area, including the root ball, to a depth equal to the height of the root ball.
During the First Active Growth Season
Newly planted Winter Daphne will need some water to establish themselves, but go light with the hose. Provide only enough water to keep the soil slightly damp. It's best to allow the soil to dry out between each watering. Constantly soggy or wet soil is a killer.
Thereafter
When established, Winter Daphne is very drought tolerant, and plants will require little or no water. Drooping leaves during a drought could be a sign that your Winter Daphne needs water. That being said, wet soil can cause wilting leaves. So always check soil moisture before watering. If the soil is damp skip watering.
How To Prune A Winter Daphne Plant
Because Winter Daphne does not heal well after cuts into mature wood (branches), pruning is best avoided. Prune only to remove damaged branches as they occur or a stray branch spoiling the shrub's shape. Make your cut just beyond the point of breakage or a quarter-inch above its origin (where it intersects another branch).
Plant Long & Prosper!
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