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Planting potted Daphne in garden
Dotypoo
Posts: 2
I have a 6 year old Daphne J Postil in a large pot and would like to plant it in my garden in a sunny open spot by my patio. I know I have to be careful with this plant and as it is much loved I do not want to risk loosing it. Can anyone tell me the best time to move it. All advise gratefully received.
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Posts
Sorry to disagree with Verdun, but I'd plant in spring with a Daphne. If your'e worried about losing it this winter, I'd bury it, still in the pot, to keep it frost free over winter. It's likely to be pot bound and if the long range weather forecast is correct, any roots near the outside of the pot will freeze and that won't do it any good. Daphne's are better planted in spring, they establish better.
Well it will be root bound, no doubting that. The ground now is certainly cooling quickly and won't get warm till spring, ideal for roses, but not for Daphne, and burying it for winter will keep it safe. Watering till established will only take a can full every few weeks. Two opposing views never mind. It's up to Dotypoo now.
I'm going to side with Verdun. The ground will be warmer now than after the winter, so I'd get it in now. It's been a mild start to winter and it might even push out a few roots if it's in a sheltered spot.
The only thing I'd add is to avoid a position which get sun first thing in the morning. If there's frost on the buds and the sun hits it too early , you're likely to lose them. If they get time to thaw before the sun gets onto them, they're more likely to come through unharmed.
With the downward change in temperatures likely to continue, I'd still go with a late spring planting. The soil is rapidly cooling and only going to get colder, so planting a shrub now, especially a pot bound specimen will only increase the likelihood of losing it. Wrap the pot or bury it and do it in spring.
Thank you so much experts, wonderful advice. It is in a very large pot which it was put into about 4 years ago and it settled nicely but its leaves were never very green and soon became yellow and dropped so I feel it does need a permanent spot to call its own. It has got big flower buds ready to come into flower in a couple of months and I would hate to loose its wonderful scent so I will leave it be till spring and pop it in then with crossed fingers. Thank you again and merry Christmas.