Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Daphne's going bald!!

The Bird LadyThe Bird Lady Posts: 225
in Problem solving
Both my Daphne Odora Aureomarginata plants seem to have really suffered during the cold wet winter we've had.  Although they are both flowering, albeit a much reduced quantity, the main problem seems to be the leaves on the lower branches.  Basically there are lots of bare branches and both plants look a bit sad.  When they've finished flowering, can I cut them back?  The RHS website says keep pruning to a minimum but, given that they're not looking great, it will probably not make the matter much worse.  
There is always the chance that it's not the weather at all (they are both about 15 years old), has anyone else experienced this?

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We lost our Daphne 3 years ago after a very long time in our garden (30 years!). It started to drop leaves and flowering became less. Eventually the plant just stopped producing leaves. We replaced it with Daphne bholua jacqueline postill. It has been in flower now for 6 weeks. It is upright and the fragrance is lovely.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You never see them round here - a combination of our general conditions/climate and the soil probably not being to their liking. Even our mild winters of the last few years are probably still colder than many areas further south. 
    The variegated ones you have could be like many variegated shrubs, and not be as tough. 
    If you have a photo or two that might help people who also grow them offer more  advice.   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
    I posted a similar question about Daphne Odora Areomarginata a year ago and had similar responses, one from @bertrand-mabel, if i remember correctly.  Here is a photo of my shrub this year, looking pretty bald at the top, presumably where the weather catches it.  The lower branches are glossier and bloomed much earlier than the top which is only now trying its best..  I have a few cuttings coming on, slowly, but they are very small, should the worst happen and I lose the parent plant.


  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I really struggled with this variety, it always got clobbered by hard winters, and gradually got worse, so I got rid.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I really struggled with this variety, it always got clobbered by hard winters, and gradually got worse, so I got rid.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
    I couldn't get rid of it - the smell in Januuary and Febrhary is to die for.  I so look forwatd to it in those gloomy winter months.
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963


    Here’s my Daphne odora Aureomarginata, which has gradually, over the last few years, been losing leaves. 

    The scent is still amazing, and I’m loathe to replace it, but I think it’s definitely struggling. I planted them around a birdbath on the entrance to our house, will miss the fragrance when I finally have to get rid…


    Lincolnshire
  • The Bird LadyThe Bird Lady Posts: 225
    I'm glad I'm not alone, thanks for your replies.  I live on the south coast so we usually get slightly less harsh conditions than some, but the very, very wet and windy weather has certainly taken it's toll.  As you say, the scent is wonderful, it's not unusual to see passers-by sticking their noses in to have a good old sniff!!  
Sign In or Register to comment.