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Variegated winter daphne Daphne odora 'Marginata'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
DAF-ne o-DO-ra
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

 Variegated winter daphne 'Marginata' is a variegated cultivar in the Thymelaeaceae (mezereum) family. This shrub grows to 4 feet tall and wide with variegated foliage in a rounded form. The fragrant flowers appear in winter to early spring. Daphnes can be finicky to grow but when sited in the right place are worth the effort.

This plant does best in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soils in part sun to dappled shade. It needs the soil to be kept moist but not soggy. ‘Marginata’ also appreciates some protection from winds. Use in the winter garden, along patios or pathways or in a foundation planting. Plant where the fragrance and winter blooms can be appreciated.

This shrub doesn't like to be transplanted so choose your site carefully. Prune only sparingly to remove dead or damaged limbs.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fasciation, Southern blight, tobacco ringspot virus, Verticillium wilt, crown and root rot, Botrytis twig blight, aphids, and scale insects can be problems.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

More information on Daphne odora.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#shrub#broadleaf evergreen#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#landscape plant sleuths course#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#shrub#broadleaf evergreen#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#landscape plant sleuths course#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Daphne
    Species:
    odora
    Family:
    Thymelaeaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    Red fleshy drupes aren't produced often
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant rosy-purple buds open white in terminal racemes in late winter to early spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves with yellow margins are alternate but appear whirled on the stem. They tend to be denser near the end of the branches. They are leathery, 2-3 inches long and tapered to a point on each end.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    unknown
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown, suspected to be a diterpenoid (mezerein)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Stems