What They Say About Daphne odora

11/19/2013

They said it would happen, and now it's happening. My Daphne odora is dying.

My Daphne odora is wilting before my very eyes.

Above, what it looks like today. Below, what it looked like when I wrote about it in January, when it was happily blooming its little head off. Note the perky foliage below. Note the droopy foliage above. I suspect root rot.

Daphne odora in happier times, January 2013.

Do I know for a fact that it's root rot? No. I suspect it's root rot because it's not frostbite, it's not root disturbance (I tugged at the plant and it is still stuck firmly in the ground) and root rot is what They say usually kills Daphne odora. I have great faith in They.

I don't feel so well.

They taught me everything I know about Daphne odora. From They, I learned that Daphne is finicky. That it is a plant that will thrive for years without a care in the world, then out of the blue will develop a fatal case of Something. That Something might be root rot, but that it doesn't really matter whether it is or it isn't, because when it comes to Daphne odora, Something is always fatal.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Alas, poor Daphne. She looks like hell, doesn't she? I'll miss her when she's gone, but at least I was psychologically prepared. They warned me. They were right. They know.

37 Comments

Joel

11/19/2013 07:13:42 am

Sorry for your loss.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/19/2013 08:54:56 am

Your expressions of sympathy are deeply appreciated.

Joan link

11/19/2013 07:19:06 am

It was rollicking success while it lasted.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/19/2013 08:56:16 am

Yes. And now it's a sad, pitiful failure.

Jason link

11/19/2013 07:53:35 am

Alas, poor Daphne ... Is there any possibility you could save her by moving her somewhere with sharper drainage? Not a member of They when it comes to Daphnes, though. Never grown one. But I will say that They get it wrong at least as often as they get it right.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/19/2013 08:58:24 am

The spot has perfect drainage, which is why Daphne lasted as long as she did there. I think root rot can also be caused by a fungus. Or maybe it's not root rot. All They seem to know is, kiss Daphne goodbye, because whether it's from root rot or something else, she's going.

Jane Scorer link

11/19/2013 09:31:46 am

I feel your pain ! I had one by the back door, and very lovely she was too. Fragrant and perky. Brightening up many a gloomy winter;s day. Then she turned up her toes and died. I still don't know why ...

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/19/2013 11:23:22 am

Thanks so much for your comments, Jane. That's the eternal story - I had a daphne, it was beautiful, it died, I don't know why. Thank goodness I still have my Edgeworthia for those dreary winter days.

Margaret Adams

11/19/2013 12:19:51 pm

I feel sad about Daphne! Have you thought about cutting her back to just about 6" and see what happens? As a last resort I've done that with 'terminal' cases and it has worked more than not. If the roots are diseased or stressed it lets the work they do keeping the branches and foliage alive cease and they can concentrate on fighting off whatever is ailing them. And if it's a foliage fungus or problem you rid the plant of it by removing the foliage. Of course if it's doomed, it's doomed but worth a try and less painful than watching it wither. Maybe in the Spring you'll see new growth? Good Luck Daphne!!

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/20/2013 12:56:34 am

Thanks for the suggestion, Margaret. It hadn't even occurred to me to try that, since everyone says it is always fatal with Daphnes. Wouldn't it be funny if it worked? You'd get a Nobel Prize.

ricki grady link

11/19/2013 12:22:34 pm

I try to ignore They whenever at all possible. I advise destroying the evidence quickly, before They notice. They are entirely too smug already.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/20/2013 12:57:07 am

I know! I hate it when They are right.

Alain link

11/20/2013 12:49:10 am

Sorry to hear about your Daphne. You should try again in a different spot if the severe pruning does not work. They are finicky but when they find the place just right to grow, "they" say that they can last many years.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/20/2013 12:58:59 am

I am wondering if I should try again, since I really do look forward to the blooms in January and February. This plant actually did pretty well by Daphne standards - it's around 8 years old in my yard. I think that is what "they" mean by "many years."

Linnae link

11/20/2013 07:22:09 pm

Farewell to thee, Daphne. I just planted one this fall--'Carol Mackie'. I will be careful not get my hopes up for any sort of long-term relationship. Especially since our soil is pretty much straight clay.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/21/2013 01:17:47 am

I think "they" say that 'Carol Mackie' is a bit less prone to croak out of the blue. Or did I make that up? Clay could be an issue, certainly, especially if it isn't planted on a slope.

Laurrie link

11/21/2013 01:07:52 am

You have validated my very reason for not growing daphne, even though I have lusted after it. I too had read what They said, and I knew it would happen to me. How sad that your pretty plant has succumbed. Even though you were prepared, it is distressing to see her go.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/21/2013 01:21:40 am

Daphne always performs as expected, doesn't she? As I was telling Linnae, I thought They said there were some varieties that were less prone to drop dead than Daphne odora. Maybe those are worth looking into. Right now, though, I'm thinking of replacing it with sarcococca, which is also evergreen and supposedly smells nice in the winter.

sweetbay link

11/21/2013 11:54:32 am

Sudden death is why I've made do with winter honeysuckle instead of Daphne, although I have considered trying to grow one in a pot, off the ground, in potting mix.

Dirr wrote in his Manual that he had lost many Daphnes, including Carol Mackie. :(

Sorry to hear about your Daphne, she is such a delightful winter bloomer!

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/21/2013 01:46:53 pm

Somehow it makes me feel better to think that Dirr lost many Daphnes. It makes it even more clear that it was inevitable. BTW, I pulled it out of the ground this afternoon (very sad) and found mushy roots and and some girdling. I suppose either one could have done the deed.

Aaron Dalton link

11/21/2013 02:42:00 pm

I've never grown Daphne. I was scared off by reports of DSDS (Daphne Sudden Death Syndrome). I visited a lovely Pennsylvania historic garden (Chanticleer) and was told by a gardener there that they too have trouble keeping Daphne alive.

How about camellias to brighten your winter days? :)

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/22/2013 06:30:48 am

It seems to be a universal problem with Daphne. But it's almost worth it for however long they last. I had mine for 8 years and just loved it. I love camellias, but most don't have that gorgeous Daphne scent that I look forward to each winter.

Jennifer link

11/24/2013 01:28:11 am

Your poor Daphne! I often wonder about the origins of the garden wisdom that gets passed around. The slightly evil side of me sometimes wonders what would happen if I made something up- like "it is best to trim shrubs immediately following a full moon"- would it get passed around and then become part of that shared wisdom of "they"?

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/24/2013 04:39:37 am

I think it would! You should try it and see what happens. I would probably be the first to repeat it as received wisdom.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden link

11/25/2013 07:43:26 am

Sarah, I am so sorry! Nevertheless, I'm so glad I read this post! You have a great sense of humor, and I enjoyed reading about Them and Something! Thank you!

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/25/2013 09:12:10 am

I appreciate your comments, Tatyana. We have to laugh at life's setbacks or we'd be crying all the time, right?

debsgarden link

11/26/2013 09:57:27 am

I plant my daphne in a pot with very well draining soil to prevent root rot. I also put it under the eves of my house during winter, to protect it from the worst of the winter rains. So far this has worked. Which reminds me, I need to get Lou to move it now!

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/26/2013 11:42:02 am

I am curious, Deb - how old is your plant? Mine was 8 when it succumbed, so I don't think it did too badly for a Daphne. Nevertheless, I'm reluctant to put one in the ground again. I am inspired by your suggestion of a pot and may just do that instead. I don't want to be without this plant!

Gypsy

11/27/2013 12:48:19 pm

Four years ago, I purchased two Daphnes. One went into the ground; one went in a pot on my front porch. The one in the ground didn't make through the first winter. The one in the pot is healthy and seemingly happy. It flowered only the first year but I forgive it cause I love the variegated foliage and I'm ever hopeful that it will bloom again.

Galloping Horse Garden link

11/28/2013 04:35:17 am

So that's another vote for keeping Daphne in a pot. I wonder why it hasn't flowered since, though. Is your porch covered? Maybe it need a bit more sun.

PlantPostings link

12/1/2013 07:10:27 am

I agree with Ricki's (and others') advice. Have They ever tried cutting it way back to encourage new growth. I don't know much about Daphne odora, but liberal prunings often work on some of my other plants. Sorry Daphne is struggling. She was so pretty.

Galloping Horse Garden link

12/1/2013 09:38:15 am

"They" never mentioned pruning back, but depending on the cause of the drooping, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Sadly, mine passed that point before I could fix it and I have since ripped it out. I am thinking of getting another one and trying it in a pot.

Chloris link

12/7/2013 06:09:07 am

How sad! Daphnes suffer from sudden death like chickens. It is heart-breaking. It is too late for this one but they are quite easy from late summer cuttings. The other thing about Daphnes, I have found by bitter experience, is that they hate being moved. If you want to replace it, have you tried the heavenly Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' ?
Chloris

Galloping Horse Garden link

12/7/2013 09:42:26 am

Thanks so much for the comment, Chloris. I do want to replace it, so I checked out Daphne bholua on your recommendation. It sounds heavenly. I had never heard of it, and I am a plant catalogue addict. From what I can see, it is not available in the U.S. - or at least, not widely available. I wonder why. You would think that there would be at least some parts of the U.S. that it would thrive, and we could always use another Daphne! I will keep my eyes open for it in the future.

Stephen

10/11/2014 10:59:38 am

They told me the same thing and it to became true. Damn them, They, I trust. Them can go to hell!

Diane link

7/19/2015 01:49:26 pm

I found this while googling "daphne odora drooping leaves." Sigh. Mine is in a pot, and very happy she has been for the past nine or ten years. Now she's fading fast. Actually not so fast. She's been limping along for several months, but not improving. I will cut her back and hope for a miracle!

kiki

1/31/2022 08:40:40 pm

mine is 15 years old and thriving with little care the whole time. right now she is covered with tiny blooms. all leaves are droopy leathery and pale green. this plant has bloomed every year the first week of February. my heart is breaking. i removed all mulch and am just waiting. .....my local nursery suggested, as a last resort......and a gamble...digging up removing rotten roots and starting over.

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What They Say About Daphne odora

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