Other Names:  Mezereon

Description:

A prized garden shrub for its showy deep pink flowers that bloom in very early spring; intoxicatingly fragrant, plant where this can be enjoyed; somewhat leggy; very fussy plant, needing light shade and well-drained soil; never move once established

Ornamental Features

February Daphne has fragrant lilac purple tubular flowers along the branches in early spring, which emerge from distinctive fuchsia flower buds. It has bluish-green deciduous foliage. The narrow leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. It produces red berries from mid to late summer.

Landscape Attributes

February Daphne is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should never be pruned except to remove any dieback, as it tends not to take pruning well. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

February Daphne is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

February Daphne will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in clay soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.