Winter daphne (Daphne odora 'Marginata') DAF-nee OH-dor-ah Synonyms:  'Aureomarginata' Genus:  Daphne This winter daphne has yellow-margined leaves and rosy-pink flower buds that open to white. Fragrant flowers bloom in winter and early spring. Reaching 4 feet tall and wide, 'Marginata' is beautiful against a wall or near a patio or deck where its fragrance can be appreciated. Or grow in a shade garden where its variegated leaves really shine. Daphne odora is evergreen and has a rounded form. It is native to China and Japan. Noteworthy Characteristics:  Variegated leaves. Fragrant flowers that bloom in winter and early spring. Care:  Grow in fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil in full sun or partial shade. It needs excellent drainage, but doesn't tolerate dry soil. Resents transplanting. Keep pruning to a minimum. Propagation:  Sow seed in containers in a cold frame when they are ripe. Take softwood cuttings in early and mid-summer, or take semi-ripe and evergreen cuttings in mid- or late summer. Graft in winter; layer in spring. Problems:  Fasciation, Southern blight, tobacco ringspot virus, Verticillium wilt, crown and root rot, Botrytis twig blight, aphids, and scale insects are common.

Overview

Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft. Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium Moisture Maintenance Moderate Characteristics Fragrant Flowers, Showy Flowers, Showy Foliage Bloom Time Early Spring, Spring, Winter Flower Color Purple, Red Foliage Color Variegated Foliage Uses Beds and Borders, Poisonous Style Rock Garden, Woodland Garden Seasonal Interest Spring Interest Tolerance Frost Tolerant Type Shrubs