Grow Winter Daphne Shrubs for Early, Fragrant Blooms
Updated: Jan. 09, 2023
Give your garden a treat with Banana Split Daphne shrub. This winter daphne has fragrant flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring.
How to Grow a Winter Daphne Shrub
When planted in part shade and moist, well-draining soil, winter daphne (Daphne odora, Zones 7 to 9) thrives in warmer climates and delights gardeners with gorgeous blooms. It can also be kept in containers and overwintered inside.
Why we love it: Add these super-early bloomers, and “spring” could start in January. Winter daphne’s fragrant flowers bloom between January and April.
Banana Split Daphne
Try Banana Split Daphne (Daphne odora ‘Monzulzay’). This winter daphne from Monrovia is named for the bright yellow variegation on the outside of its leaves, which stick around all winter in some backyards. Starting in late winter, look for rosy pink bud clusters on branch ends. They open to reveal aromatic creamy white flowers, which are the cherries on top of this shrub.
The variegated, evergreen leaves make this winter daphne a welcome addition to a home garden of any size.
- Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies
- Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Size: 4 feet tall and wide
- Grown for: Interesting leaves, pleasant scent and early blooms
- Foliage: Long, pointed and edged with yellow
- Soil: Daphnes do best with very well-draining soil. Apply a layer of mulch to keep the roots cool.
- Watering needs: Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, but keep it moist.
- Fertilizer: Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.
- Pruning time: Prune after flowering in spring to maintain a neat appearance.
See our picks for the top 10 early spring flowering bushes.
Backyard Tip
Grow Banana Split Daphne where you can enjoy the scent, but also avoid touching. All parts are poisonous and it causes skin irritation. Make sure you wear gardening gloves. Gardeners with children should pick a different shrub. Next, check out more blooming bushes that attract butterflies.
Originally Published: January 09, 2023
