Pink Fragrance Daphne Daphne × transatlantica Pink Fragrance = 'Blapink' (PBR)
ABOUT
The Daphne × transatlantica 'Pink Fragrance', commonly known as the Pink Fragrance Daphne, is a visually captivating plant notable for its appealing floral and foliage characteristics. The Pink Fragrance Daphne has a bushy habit, presenting a dense and rounded appearance that contributes to its charm. Its leaves are narrow and glossy, displaying a lush green color that serves as a perfect backdrop for its flowers. The flowers are the stand-out feature of Pink Fragrance Daphne, blooming abundantly and exuding a delightful fragrance. The blooms are a delicate pale pink that deepens in color as they mature. They emerge in clusters, creating an eye-catching display against the greenery. Each individual flower is composed of four small petals that open outward, forming a classic and elegant shape. The plant blooms over a long period, providing an extended display of its beautiful and fragrant flowers. The Pink Fragrance Daphne exudes an enchanting scent that is most pronounced during the early mornings and evenings. This characteristic makes it a popular choice for planting near walkways or entrance areas where its delightful fragrance can be fully appreciated as one passes by. Furthermore, the overall appearance of the Pink Fragrance Daphne contributes to its popularity in gardens. Its neat and compact form, combined with its attractive foliage and exquisite flowers, makes it a favored choice among gardeners seeking to add both visual and olfactory interest to their landscape.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Thymelaeaceae
Synonyms
Eternal Fragrance Daphne, Summer Ice Daphne, Pink Fragrance Daphne
Common names
Daphne × transatlantica 'Blapink' (PBR)
- Toxicity
To humans
Daphne plants, including the Daphne × transatlantica 'Blapink', are known for their toxicity to humans. All parts of the plant, including the berries, bark, and leaves, contain toxins that can cause significant health issues if ingested. The symptoms of poisoning by Daphne can include a burning sensation in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, and in severe cases, it can lead to more serious effects such as convulsions or coma. It is important to handle the plant with care and to ensure that no part of the plant is ingested.
To pets
Daphne plants are also toxic to pets. Ingesting any part of the Daphne, including the Daphne × transatlantica 'Blapink', can cause symptoms of poisoning in pets such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, and possibly fatal respiratory failure. It is crucial to keep pets away from this plant and seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your pet has consumed any part of a Daphne plant.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6-9
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: The Daphne × transatlantica 'Blapink', commonly known as 'Pink Fragrance', produces attractive pink blooms that can add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: As its common name suggests, this variety is known for its delightful fragrance, which can add a layer of sensory enjoyment to a garden setting.
- Extended Blooming: It has a long flowering period, typically from spring to fall, providing long-lasting visual interest.
- Compact Size: Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for small gardens or spaces where a smaller plant is preferred.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can withstand periods of drought better than some other ornamental plants, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care once established, making it a relatively low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
- Attracts Wildlife: The blossoms can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Evergreen: As an evergreen shrub, it retains its leaves throughout the year, providing continuous foliage and garden interest even in winter.
- Versatility: It can be used in various landscape applications, including borders, containers, and as a specimen plant.
- Deer Resistance: The plant is resistant to deer, making it a good choice for areas where deer browsing can be an issue for gardening.
- Adaptable: It can adapt to various soil types as long as they are well-draining, providing flexibility in garden placement.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- As a natural dye: The flowers of Pink Fragrance may be used to produce a subtle, natural dye for fabrics or crafts.
- Artistic inspiration: The unique appearance of the Pink Fragrance flowers can serve as inspiration for artists and designers in their creations.
- Culinary decoration: Edible flowers from Pink Fragrance can be used to garnish and decorate desserts or cocktails for a touch of elegance, though caution should be taken as parts of the plant can be toxic if ingested in quantity.
- Photography subject: With its attractive blooms, Pink Fragrance provides a perfect subject for photographers specializing in botanical and garden photography.
- Wedding bouquets: The flowers of Pink Fragrance can be included as a component in wedding bouquets and floral arrangements for their beauty and scent.
- Scented sachets: Dried Pink Fragrance flowers can be used in scented sachets to freshen drawers and closets.
- Botanical education: As an example of a hybrid plant, Pink Fragrance can be used for educational purposes, teaching about plant breeding and genetics.
- Thematic gardens: Pink Fragrance can be a key element in a 'pink' themed garden or a garden focused on fragrant plants.
- Floral crafts: The flowers and branches of Pink Fragrance can be incorporated into wreaths, dried flower arrangements, and other botanical crafts.
- Relaxation and aromatherapy: While not used directly, the scent of Pink Fragrance in the garden can contribute to a relaxing outdoor environment, potentially complementing an aromatherapy setting.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Daphne is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Daphne is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Love and Beauty: The Daphne plant carries the weight of classical and mythological associations, especially with the nymph Daphne in Greek mythology, symbolizing eternal love and beauty.
- Protection: Daphne is sometimes associated with protection due to the evergreen nature of some species in the genus, which can symbolize endurance and lasting safety.
- Good Luck: In some cultures, Daphne plants are considered to bring good luck, particularly in aspects connected to love and positive relationships.
- Water
The 'Pink Fragrance' Daphne should be watered thoroughly, ensuring the soil is moist but never soggy, as this plant does not tolerate standing water. During the growing season (spring and summer), water the plant approximately once a week, depending on weather conditions and soil drainage. Each watering session should provide enough water to soak the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil. During the winter months, reduce watering frequency, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. A general guideline would be to provide about 1 gallon of water for a medium-sized plant every 7 to 10 days during active growth, and less frequently when the plant is dormant.
- Light
'Pink Fragrance' Daphne thrives in dappled sunlight or partial shade, avoiding the intense heat of direct afternoon sun which can scorch its leaves. The ideal spot for this plant would be one where it's sheltered from the harshest midday sun, yet still receives bright, indirect light for most of the day. Morning sunlight with afternoon shade, or filtered sunlight under a canopy of taller plants, would be perfect lighting conditions for this Daphne.
- Temperature
'Pink Fragrance' Daphne prefers cooler temperature conditions and generally does well in the range of 60°F to 75°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme temperatures; it can survive brief periods in temperatures as low as 10°F, but prolonged exposure to such cold can be damaging. Similarly, temperatures above 80°F may stress the plant. The ideal temperature range provides a comfortable environment for this Daphne to flourish.
- Pruning
Pruning 'Pink Fragrance' Daphne is generally done to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches, thereby promoting healthy growth. Pruning should be done after the flowering period in late spring or early summer. Since this plant can be sensitive to heavy cutting, it's best to prune lightly and not too often – once a year is usually enough. Avoid cutting into old wood, as this can prevent future blooming.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The Eternal Fragrance Daphne prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal for providing the right balance of drainage and moisture retention. To enhance fertility, incorporate a balanced, slow-release fertilizer into the soil mix.
- Repotting
Eternal Fragrance Daphne should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, ideally in the spring. However, they are not particularly fond of being disturbed, so repot only when necessary, using a container that's slightly larger than the current one.
- Humidity & Misting
Eternal Fragrance Daphne thrives at average room humidity levels, around 40-50%. They do not require high humidity but should be protected from very dry air. Avoid placing the plant near heat sources or air conditioners which can drastically reduce humidity levels.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled sunlight, shelter from harsh conditions.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
- Life cycle
Daphne x transatlantica 'Pink Fragrance', commonly known as the Pink Fragrance Daphne, begins its life cycle with seed germination, although it is more commonly propagated through cuttings, due to the plant's patented nature. Once planted, it enters a vegetative growth stage, developing a robust root system and lush, evergreen foliage. This shrub then transitions to a blooming phase, typically in the spring, with intensely fragrant, pink blooms that may continue intermittently until fall, attracting pollinators. After pollination, it can produce small, inedible drupes that mature in late summer to autumn. As a perennial, the Pink Fragrance Daphne enters a period of dormancy in the winter, although in milder climates the evergreen leaves persist. This cycle repeats annually, with the shrub gradually maturing and potentially reaching up to 4 feet in height and spread over many years.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Daphne × transatlantica 'Blapink', commonly known as Eternal Fragrance Daphne, is most commonly propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method is usually carried out in late summer. To propagate, choose a healthy semi-hardwood stem that has begun to mature and harden but is not yet fully woody. Cut a section of stem about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long, making sure it includes at least two sets of leaves. Trim the cutting just below a leaf node, remove the bottom leaves to create a clean stem, and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Then, insert the cutting into a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that the leaf nodes where you removed the leaves are buried in the medium. The cutting should be kept in a warm, humid environment until roots develop, which can take several weeks. Careful attention to moisture and avoiding direct sunlight will help increase the chances of successful rooting.