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Daphne dying!!!

brian stoatbrian stoat Posts: 111
in Plants
A beautiful Daphne which has been fit and healthy and thriving for nearly 20 years has, in recent weeks, started to look as if it’s dying. We’ve removed some obviously dying growth, but the rest of the plant is niw also looking terribly unwell. Any thoughts out there in forum land?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think they can die quite easily from what other people say. Many varieties are short lived anyway. 
    That may be the case with yours, but I don't grow them.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • brian stoatbrian stoat Posts: 111

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Normally I would say more info needed, but in your case it may well just be old age.
     20 years is about the longest life span generally quoted for Daphnes, for some varieties it is much shorter. I lost my previously healthy D. mezereon at about that age too. They are such slow growing and pernickety plants it's a wonder anyone bothers to grow them. I guess it's the challenge - I bought another one too!
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I've never grown them either @brian stoat but seeing the pictures and its location I'm wondering if lack of water over the summer months has anything to do with the problem. I'm sure someone with experience of them will come along and have the answer. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I only have one, and find it needs no attention.
    I bought a Daphne Tangutica in 2016 to fill an area about 1m sq. by my w/l pond.
    It's grown so quickly I have to chop lumps off it several times a year.
    It's supposed to get to about 1m round. Mine is about 1m high but over 2m wide despite my pruning. I didn't water it at all during the drought/heatwave and only give it a mulch in Spring.
    It's a lovely shrub, but in the wrong place now due to its size.
    Seems tough as old boots.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Is yours in the ground Pete, this one isn't? It looks like a raised bed. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Daphne are notorious for just suddenly dying.
    Daphne wilt.

    Well done keeping it for 20years.
    I love all Daphne evergreen ones and deciduous.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I think 20 years is a good innings, especially for a containerised Daphne.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Check for vine weevil.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    The same thing happened with d.tangutica here, @Fairygirl. Bought as a tiny thing about 4 inches high from the 'alpines' section of a garden centre, it grew fast and it was difficult to prune  in a way that didn't make it ugly. It eventually had to go. Lovely scent though. 

    Perhaps daphnes are more susceptible than most plants to a change in conditions, such as this past summer. I've often read on here of them dying suddenly after being okay for years.
    Worth trying again if it does die, @brian stoat ? 


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