Topic: Scent in Winter

[Palustris]

I wish I could post the smell from these two Jacqueline Postil and Daphne mezureum roseum

[eileen]

and I wish I could smell them Palustris - almost but not quite!  ::)

[Gardengirl]

Wonderful Eric :D  We used to have a Daphne bush right outside our back door where we used to live and the scent in the evening was quite breathtaking :)

[Garden Manager]

Everyone raves about Daphne's, yet i cant see why myself. It seem as if the flower sent is its one attraction, and then only for a few short weeks.  Most arent even evergreen, so no winter interest when NOT  in flower.

Though if i had one i'd think differently. Its just a plant has to work really hard to earn a place in my garden. Daphnes just dont do enough for me. Sorry  :(

[Palustris]

Before rushing into print, I thought I ought to do a litle checking. I discovered that the majority of Daphne species and cultivars commonly grown in Britain are in fact evergreen or semi-evergreen. Some of these have variegated leaves. Flowering period is from Winter right through to late Summer. The flowers last between a month to two months depending on pollination.  Most also produce berries ranging in colour from black to white via red yellow and orange. Almost all of the common types are heavily scented, the scent produced more in the evening than during the day.
For length of interest, they have more to offer than Roses (dead looking twigs for 6 months), herbaceous plants (nothing at all for4 to 5 months) Tree peonies (see roses). Forsythia? Lilac? Viburnum?. I could find dozens of favoured shrubs and plants with as little interest as Daphnes.
And if you want the ultimate in short termism, I grow an iris whose flowers last 1 day and for the last 3 years we have been away from home on that day.

[Piglet]

It's all these 'individual seasonal' plants that give us something to look forward to.  At this time of year there isnt alot else around exciting our senses etc... but for plants like the Daphnes.  I have dogwoods in my garden and through the summer not much exciting but in winter a glorious splash of colour.  

Wish it was smelly-vision P  :)!

[Ragged Robin]

Eric

Thank you so much for the enlightenment regarding Daphnes; I've always thought about getting one and now thanks to a decrease in lawn and enlargement of flower bed there is a spot with "reserved" marked on it.
Once again thanks for your knowledgable posting and inspirational pictures.

[flowerbaby_uk]

I would second that compliment to Eric Ragged Robin he is kind and sharing and very knowledgable too :)

[Dandy_Lion]

Very spooky, Eric, very spooky indeed. I bought a Daphne odora 'aureomarginata' yesterday (Friday). Hows about that for coincidence!!  I love the look and scent of them, so long may it live!!
Take care
Sally    ;D

[Garden Manager]

Okay I take it back eric- Sorry old chap! ;)

Have to agree with you on some other plants. Nice though they are roses look awfull in winter. Springs ok the new growth looks quite good depending on the cultivar.

As I said before a plant needs to earn its keep in my garden.

Perhaps the real problem with daphnes is although scented, my sense of smellis such that I wouls have a hard job enjoying it!  I oftenhave to et in so close and smell so hard to pick up the scent of such plants, I invariably get a nose full of pollen. Which then makes me sneeze!  ::)