I am always taken aback when I catch my first whiff of Daphne towards the end of winter. The day is usually gray and the breeze is usually cool and damp, so it is especially shocking to smell something so exotically fragrant. I’ve managed to coerce two Daphne shrubs to grow and produce their fragrant flowers in my courtyard, and for that I am thankful, especially when that scent comes to call. But, I have to admit, I want more.
A few bunches of these trumpet shaped, white star blooms can fill a room with a scent like no other, it is spicy, yet sweet and intense, similar to a Lily.
Daphne can be a choosy shrub, it doesn’t necessarily always want to grow where it’s placed, to read more about some of it’s peculiarities and preferences, click on Winter’s fragrant farewell. I’ve tried several times to get a plant to grow just to the left of my front door, so all can enjoy it as we come and go… but every time they’ve just demurely disappeared.
Pots of Daphne can be found in the nurseries in my part of the world right now.
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| Daphne Odora |
I think I am going to try again this year.
What are your favorite winter~spring flowers?
I hope they are blooming in abundance!
Definitely one of my favorite scents of spring, and the pretty pink blossoms are darling. The perfect contrast to drippy gray skies and freezing feet!
Happy spring, Emily!