Culture
Best grown in moist, rich, sandy-humusy, well-drained soils with a neutral pH in part shade. Sharp soil drainage is essential. Consider raised plantings in areas of heavy clay soils to insure good drainage. Best sited in locations protected from cold winter winds. Winter root mulch is advisable. Do not allow soils to dry out. Established plants have some drought tolerance, but dry soils may reduce summer bloom. Daphnes are often slow to establish and are best left undisturbed once planted.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Daphnes are well known for their intensely fragrant flowers. This daphne hybrid is a cross between D. caucasica (deciduous female) and D. collina (evergreen male).
Genus name originally used for laurel (Laurus nobilis) but later transferred to this genus. Originally, from the nymph of the same name from Greek mythology, but could come from an Indo-European word meaning odor.
'Blafra', commonly known by the trade name of ETERNAL FRAGRANCE, is a rounded, open-branched shrub that features intensely fragrant white flowers in spring with irregular and sporadic continued bloom occurring on new growth from summer into fall on branches clad with semi-glossy, narrow, elliptic, dark green leaves (to 2" long). This daphne typically grows in a mound to 2-3' tall and as wide. Foliage is semi-evergreen in USDA Zones 7, but deciduous in the St. Louis area. Flowers are white with an orange-yellow eye comprised of orange-yellow anthers. Flowers take on pink-purple hues when night temperatures turn cool. U.S. Plant Patent PP18,361 was issued on December 25, 2007.
Problems
Daphnes in the St. Louis area often suffer significant winter injury in severe winters, particularly if improperly planted in locations exposed to cold winter winds and full sun. Plants weakened by winter injury are more susceptible to disease problems. Potential diseases include botrytis, leaf spots, canker, twig blight, crown rot and virus. Potential insect pests include aphids, mealy bugs and scale. Plants can be temperamental and unpredictable. Michael Dirr reports that daphnes sometimes die very quickly for “no explicable reason.”
Uses
A small, rounded shrub for rock gardens or other smaller gardens. Effective edging plant or small hedge. Also effective in border foregrounds and foundation plantings. Plant near doors, decks or patios for maximum enjoyment of the super fragrant flowers.