Eternal Fragrance Daphne Daphne × transatlantica Eternal Fragrance = 'Blafra' (PBR)
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ABOUT
Daphne × transatlantica Eternal Fragrance, commonly known as Eternal Fragrance Daphne, is an ornamental shrub notable for its delightful scent and attractive form. It features a dense, bushy habit with a proliferation of glossy, oval-shaped leaves that create a lush backdrop for its flowers. The foliage generally remains evergreen, providing year-round interest. The real standout quality of this plant, though, is its blooms. Eternal Fragrance Daphne produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that are a soft pink in bud, transitioning to white as they open fully. These blooms are exquisitely fragrant, with a rich, sweet perfume that can waft through the air, creating a sensory highlight in any garden. The flowers are known to appear in abundance starting in spring and continue blooming in waves throughout the summer and often into the fall, making it a continual source of beauty and fragrance. This plant is cherished for its multi-seasonal appeal, providing visual and olfactory pleasure for a generous portion of the year. The overall impression of Eternal Fragrance Daphne is of a compact, well-rounded shrub that offers both aesthetic charm and a memorable fragrance, making it a favorite in gardens where it can be appreciated up close, such as near walkways or patios.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Thymelaeaceae.
Synonyms
Eternal Fragrance Daphne, Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance', Daphne Eternal Fragrance, Eternal Fragrance.
Common names
Daphne × transatlantica Eternal Fragrance = 'Blafra' (PBR).
ToxicityTo humans
Daphne, including Daphne × transatlantica 'Eternal Fragrance', is known to be toxic to humans. All parts of the plant, especially the berries, contain toxic compounds. If ingested, symptoms of poisoning can include severe stomach pain, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and convulsions. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to coma or even death from respiratory failure. It is important to handle the plant with care and ensure it is not ingested, particularly by children.
To pets
Daphne, including Daphne × transatlantica 'Eternal Fragrance', is also toxic to pets. All parts of the plant, including the leaves and berries, contain poisonous substances. If a pet ingests any part of the plant, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, drooling, and lethargy. In severe cases, ingestion can result in seizures or respiratory failure, which can be fatal. It is crucial to prevent pets from having access to this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6-9
Native area
Hybrid origin
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Fragrance: The plant is well-known for its pleasing scent which can add a delightful aroma to gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Long Blooming Period: It has a long flowering period from early spring to late autumn, providing a visual display for an extended time.
- Compact Size: With a neat and compact growth habit, it is ideal for small gardens or limited spaces.
- Low Maintenance: This plant generally requires only minimal care, making it suitable for busy gardeners or those with limited gardening skills.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has a degree of drought resistance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: The plant typically shows good resistance to common pests and diseases, ensuring a healthier and more hassle-free plant.
- Deer Resistant: It is less likely to be damaged by deer, which makes it a good choice for gardens in areas with deer populations.
- Versatility: Suitable for a variety of landscaping uses, including borders, containers, and as a specimen plant.
- Semi-evergreen: It retains some of its foliage throughout the year, contributing to the winter interest in the garden.
- Easy to Propagate: Can be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings, which allows gardeners to easily create more plants for their space.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Homemade potpourri: The fragrant flowers of Daphne can be dried and included in homemade potpourri mixes, providing a pleasant aroma to your home.
- Drawer sachets: Dry the flowers and seal them in small fabric bags to create natural drawer sachets, keeping clothes smelling fresh.
- Floral water: Infuse water with Daphne flowers to create a light floral scent for use in homemade beauty treatments or room sprays.
- Book-pressing: The distinctive flowers of Daphne can be pressed in between the pages of a book for crafting or to create botanical art.
- Garden borders: Utilize Daphne as a low hedge or garden border due to its compact growth habit, offering a fragrant edge to pathways.
- Bonsai: With careful pruning, Daphne can be cultivated as bonsai, making an attractive and fragrant miniature tree for enthusiasts.
- Natural dye: The flowers or leaves may potentially be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics or crafts, although this is not commonly done.
- Culinary decoration: While not edible, the flowers can be used to decorate cakes and desserts, as long as they're removed before consumption.
- Photography prop: Due to its beauty, Daphne can be used as a prop or background in plant and garden photography.
- Wedding bouquets: The attractive and fragrant blossoms of Daphne can add a unique element to bridal and event bouquets or decorations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Daphne is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Daphne is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: Daphne is a plant often associated with beauty due to its attractive flowers and lovely scent, reflecting the mythological nymph Daphne known for her attractiveness.
- Eloquence: In ancient times, the plant was related to the gift of eloquence and expression, possibly due to its connection with the god Apollo, who was the god of poetry and music.
- Immortality: The evergreen nature of some Daphne species symbolizes immortality and eternal life, traits valued in many cultural traditions.
- Love: Daphne's enticing fragrance and its history with the god Apollo, who fell in love with the nymph Daphne, makes it a symbol of love and desire.
- Protection: In some traditions, Daphne plants were associated with protection due to the belief that they could ward off evil spirits with their strong aroma.
WaterDaphne 'Eternal Fragrance', or more commonly known as Daphne, should be watered moderately, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Typically, watering once a week with about 1 gallon of water is adequate, although this may need to be increased to twice a week during particularly dry spells or hot weather. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering as the plant requires less moisture due to a slower growth rate.
LightDaphne 'Eternal Fragrance' thrives in a spot with partial shade to full sun. The ideal lighting conditions include morning sunlight with afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, to prevent the foliage from scorching. This plant can also tolerate full sun in cooler climates, but again, protection from the intense afternoon sun is beneficial.
TemperatureDaphne 'Eternal Fragrance' is hardy and performs best within a temperature range of 60°F to 75°F. While it can tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F, prolonged exposure to such cold will damage the plant. On the other end, temperatures above 80°F may also stress the plant, especially if humidity levels are low.
PruningPruning Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance' helps to maintain its shape and encourages a bushier, more floriferous plant. Prune lightly after it flowers in the spring to remove any spent blooms and to shape the plant. Avoid heavy pruning as Daphnes do not respond well to being cut back hard. Once a year is typically sufficient for this plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDaphne Eternal Fragrance thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix containing loam, peat, and course sand or perlite can provide the right structure and nutrients. It is important to ensure the soil mix does not retain excessive water as this can lead to root rot.
RepottingDaphne Eternal Fragrance should be repotted sparingly, as the plant does not tolerate root disturbance well. Only repot every 2-3 years if necessary, and take care when handling the root system.
Humidity & MistingDaphne Eternal Fragrance prefers moderate humidity and does not require overly humid conditions. Aim for a humidity level that is comfortable for indoor living conditions, avoiding excessively dry air which can be mitigated by occasional misting if needed.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light, away from hot drafts.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, shelter from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleCommonly known as Daphne Eternal Fragrance, its life cycle begins with seed germination, provided the seeds are viable and environmental conditions are suitable. After sprouting, the seedling emerges, gradually developing true leaves and a root system as it enters the vegetative growth stage. Over time, the plant matures and enters the flowering stage, producing fragrant blooms primarily in spring and autumn, with sporadic flowering possible throughout the growing season. After pollination, if it occurs, the plant may produce small fruits containing seeds, thus completing its reproductive cycle. Eventually, as an evergreen shrub, Daphne Eternal Fragrance experiences periods of dormancy, typically during colder months, to conserve energy. Provided optimal growing conditions and proper care, this plant can enjoy a lifespan of many years, continuously cycling through vegetative growth and flowering stages.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Daphne × transatlantica 'Eternal Fragrance', also known as Eternal Fragrance Daphne, is typically propagated by semi-ripe cuttings. The best time to take cuttings for propagation is in late summer when the growth has begun to mature but is not yet hard and woody. To propagate, a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) is taken from a healthy parent plant. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then planted in a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite or a fine seed starting mix, ensuring that the foliage does not touch the soil surface to prevent rot. The pot is placed in a warm area with indirect light and kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. To maintain high humidity, you may cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator. Roots typically form within several weeks, after which the new plants can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions before transplanting.
