Daphne is the lilac of winter. An unassuming shrub in foliage and form, yet unsurpassed in fragrance. A fragrance in February is not forgotten. A fragrance of flowers and bees, of sunshine and smiles, a fresh, floral, flowery feast. With insects in short supply during the cold winter months, Daphne seeks them out with its potent scent. To ensure pollination, it produces a potion that seems to have magical qualities. Every time I walk by I lean in. I turn slightly. I hesitate. I slow down. I change my pace. I can’t help myself as I bury my nose in those rosy posies! On a recent walk through the Washington Park Arboretum I was stopped in my tracks by this Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill. I really like the structure of this daphne, almost tree-like. With its shiny deep green leaves and reddish bark, I think Daphne bholua is a stand-out shrub.
Just the Facts
Daphne Bholua
Evergreen to Semi-Evergreen
Zones 7, 8 Native to Himalaya
February-March Bloom, Fragrance Magnificient!
Upright habit, 6-10 ft. high (2-3m)
Extremely well-drained soil
Lime-based Soil Mix
Resents Moving
Rainyleaf 
It is lovely, and to see it with the wind making it tremble is so much better then a simple photo! 😀
Thanks, I want to use more video, why should animals get all the cute video shots? Plants deserve some movie time too!
Hey Elaine I wanted to let you know you won the veg seeds from my blog contest. I emailed you but wasn’t sure you got it….I need your contact info.
I love daphne but not hardy for our winters!
Thanks for the seeds! I’m looking forward to planting them and getting out in the garden…it feels like spring!
Elaine
Haven’t seen this form of Daphne before. It’s lovely and can almost imagine the fragrance.
Yes, I’ve seen a lot of not-very-lovely Daphne odora, so it was a nice surprise to find this one!
Elaine
Daphne…I think there is daphne in my future, near all the entries to my new house. And dwarf sweetbox.
Congratulations on your new home and garden! I’m looking forward to hearing about your new plans for plants!
Elaine
Thanks for this post! We agree, and it is a plant that is attractive when not flowering, which is more than we can say for lilac! Try ‘Brigg’s Moonlight’ for a real showstopper, with or without flowers! And we love that dwarf Sarcococca (sweatbox) as well, which gets showy red berries as well as lovely foliage and fragrant flowers.
Yes, everyone is swooning over sarcococca right now! I would like to see a mature Brigg’s Moonlight, I’ve only seen small ones.
Elaine