Garland flower (rose daphne) Daphne cneorum
Garland flower (rose daphne) (Daphne cneorum) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Thymelaeaceae family, native to Mountains of central and southern Europe. It grows 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall and 40–80 cm (16–31 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Garland flower (rose daphne) in your garden →
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Garland flower (rose daphne) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Thymelaeaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of central and southern Europe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Garland flower (rose daphne) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts, especially berries and bark, sap
All daphnes are very poisonous: berries and bark cause burning of the mouth, vomiting and worse; the sap irritates skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Garland flower (rose daphne)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Garland flower (rose daphne)
- How far apart should I plant Garland flower (rose daphne)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–80 cm (16–31 in).
- Does Garland flower (rose daphne) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Garland flower (rose daphne) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Garland flower (rose daphne)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Garland flower (rose daphne) flower?
- From about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Garland flower (rose daphne) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. All daphnes are very poisonous: berries and bark cause burning of the mouth, vomiting and worse; the sap irritates skin.
- What grows well with Garland flower (rose daphne)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Garland flower (rose daphne). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Alpine Garden Society Encyclopaedia of Alpines and plant portraits, Alpine Garden Society, Pershore (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- A low, trailing evergreen with clusters of intensely fragrant rose-pink flowers at the tip of every shoot in late spring. Famously temperamental: it wants cool roots under stones and resents disturbance.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Winter daphne Daphne odora
- Paperbush (mitsumata) Edgeworthia chrysantha
- Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) Daphne bholua
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius