DAPHNE continued


Daphne bholua

Perhaps the most dramatic of the genus, this species and its derivatives flower in the winter. We have even had them flower for Christmas, continuing until March, dependant on the season.

Their scent is utterly intoxicating!

Plant them near the front door for constant appreciation! Most are evergreen so they will enjoy shelter from cold wind. Protection from summer sun helps prevent them drying out. They are happy in sun if their roots are shaded but they perform best in a shady site. We find this group does best for us in a shady site. Try one amongst your deciduous shrubs - when they lose their leaves the Daphne will be revealed shortly to overwhelm the garden with its scent and beauty. Every garden should have one!

Although most are classified as evergreen, they tend to loose their old leaves just before the new growth starts in the spring. This also tends to coincide with the flowers finishing, so they can look rather messy for a while at this time. Overwatering at this point can kill them, so just be patient.

All forms of D. bholua are now sold out until September, but don’t wait until then to order; they are always popular so get your name on the list now!
DAPHNE bholua 'Alba'
The smallest and bushiest of the bholuas, at not quite 2m. The leaves are smaller and darker green. The pure white flowers are also slightly smaller, but produced in such profusion that their size is academic! Possibly my favourite…!
£23.50
DAPHNE bholua 'Daman Ridge' 
This is one of the less common forms. It was introduced by Sir Peter Smithers who collected seed from the Daman Ridge, Nepal in 1970. These plants are grafts from seedlings from these plants. They have proved to be evergreen in his Swiss garden and have with stood temperatures of 12F. In 4 years, they reached almost 2m in height. Flower colour is slightly darker than the type. A superb plant in all respects.
Sold out
DAPHNE bholua 'Darjeeling' 
This geographical variant is reputedly the hardiest and is certainly the most evergreen. The white flowers are flushed pink, although slightly smaller than the other varieties. The leaves are a paler green with white hairs beneath and on the stems.
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DAPHNE bholua var. glacialis 'Gurkha' 
This vigorous upright form is totally deciduous. The large flowers are pinkish in bud opening white. This form was collected by Major Spring-Smyth in 1962 on the Milke Banjyang Ridge, Nepal under the collection number TSS 132B After 10 years it was 2.1m by 1.5m.
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DAPHNE bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' 
The flowers are even larger, with more pink colouration and equally fragrant. It originated as a seedling of Gurkha in 1982, raised by Alan Postill, propagator at Hilliers. It is truly beautiful.
Sold out
DAPHNE bholua 'Sir Peter Smithers'
A superlative selection with large flowers, the darkest coloured of all the bholuas, and an exquisite fragrance as one would expect!
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