Rolls Daphne Daphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht'
ABOUT
Daphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht', commonly known as Daphne, is an ornamental shrub that is appreciated for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. The plant features a bushy and rounded habit with numerous branches that give it a lush appearance. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, presenting a deep green color that provides a rich backdrop to its blooms. The flowers of this Daphne are particularly noteworthy. They are small, with a tubular shape that flares open into a four-lobed corolla. The blossoms are typically a deep pink to rosy purple color, adding a burst of vivid color to gardens when they appear. The clusters of flowers are tightly packed, and they emit an intoxicating scent that is a major allure for many gardeners and is beloved by pollinators like bees. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, the plant produces berry-like fruits after the flowering season, though these are often inconspicuous and not a prominent feature of the plant. Overall, Daphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht' possesses a charming appearance that can add both visual interest and delightful fragrance to a garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Thymelaeaceae
Synonyms
Wilhelm Schacht Spurge Laurel, Wilhelm Schacht Daphne
Common names
Daphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant in question is commonly known as Daphne. This plant is highly toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the Daphne contain toxic substances, including daphnetoxin, which can cause severe symptoms upon ingestion. These symptoms include intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, poisoning can lead to difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, convulsions, and even coma. Skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis, blistering, or inflammation in sensitive individuals. Due to its high toxicity, ingestion of any part of the Daphne plant should be treated as a medical emergency, and immediate medical attention should be sought.
To pets
The Daphne plant is highly toxic to pets if consumed. All parts of the Daphne contain poisonous compounds that can cause severe symptoms in animals. These symptoms may include drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and in extreme cases, seizures, and death. Pets may also experience oral irritation and swelling if they chew on the plant. Given the serious nature of this toxicity, any pet suspected of ingesting Daphne should be brought to a veterinarian immediately for treatment. Prompt medical attention is critical to managing the potential effects of this poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Daphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht', commonly known as the Winter Daphne, offers vibrant flowers typically used in ornamental gardening, enhancing the visual appeal of landscapes.
- Fragrance: The Winter Daphne is well-known for its strong and pleasant fragrance, which can be enjoyed when planted near walkways or in outdoor sitting areas.
- Wildlife Attraction: The fragrant flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem.
- Year-Round Interest: This plant provides multi-seasonal interest through evergreen foliage, winter blossoms, and occasionally colorful berries.
- Compact Size: Being a relatively small shrub, it is suitable for gardens with limited space or for use in residential landscaping.
- Shade Tolerance: Winter Daphne can thrive in partial shade, making it a versatile choice for various garden locations where direct sunlight is limited.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Printing Dye: Daphne's bark and berries can be used to produce dyes for fabrics and paper, giving them a unique natural color.
- Miniature Bonsai: Due to its small size and striking blooms, it can be trained as a bonsai, providing an artistic and horticultural challenge for enthusiasts.
- Cosmetic Fragrance: The flowers of the plant can be processed to extract essential oils for use in perfumes and scented products.
- Aromatherapy: Its pleasant fragrance may be used in sachets and potpourris to create a calming and relaxing environment in homes.
- Holiday Decoration: The evergreen foliage and winter flowers can serve as a natural decoration during the winter holidays.
- Craft Material: Twigs and branches can be used for making small handcrafted items or for adding a decorative touch to flower arrangements.
- Ink Production: Historically, plant extracts have been used for making ink, and Daphne bark can be used for a similar purpose in homemade inks.
- Photography: The unique appearance and rarity can make Daphne a subject of interest for botanical photographers and artists.
- Educational Tool: It can be used as a teaching tool in horticultural classes to illustrate plant hybridization and care.
- Sound Insulation: The density of its foliage can help absorb sound, thus it could potentially be used in noise reduction strategies in garden design.
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- Eternal Love - The Daphne plant is often associated with eternal love due to the myth of Apollo and the nymph Daphne, reflecting an undying affection despite the challenges.
- Femininity - Named after the nymph Daphne, this plant symbolizes femininity and the delicate nature often attributed to female beauty in classical mythology.
- Protection - In some traditions, Daphne plants are used to create protective amulets, symbolizing a safeguard against harm and negative energies.
- Purity - The Daphne's attractive flowers are often associated with purity and the virginity of the nymph in the related Greek myth.
- Immortality - As the nymph Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree, which the Daphne is related to, it symbolizes immortality and the idea of living on through change.
WaterRollsdorf's daphne requires consistent moisture but does not like to be waterlogged. Water the plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which generally translates to once a week. During the growing season in spring and summer, watering may be more frequent, while in winter, it should be reduced. It's best to use about one gallon of water at each watering session, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage healthy root growth. Be cautious not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
LightRollsdorf's daphne thrives in dappled sunlight or partial shade. It should be placed in a location where it receives morning light, but is protected from the intense heat of the afternoon sun. A spot under a canopy of trees or on the eastern side of a building where it can get filtered light is ideal. This plant does not do well in full shade as it could inhibit blooming, or full sun which can scorch the foliage.
TemperatureRollsdorf's daphne prefers a temperate climate and is hardy in zones 4 to 8. The plant can survive temperatures as low as 10°F and as high as 80°F, but the ideal temperature range for this plant is between 45°F and 65°F. It's best to avoid exposing the plant to extreme temperature fluctuations and to protect it from harsh winter winds.
PruningRollsdorf's daphne should be pruned to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Pruning is best done in early spring, after the risk of frost has passed but before new growth starts. It's often not necessary to prune every year; occasional thinning is sufficient to keep the plant healthy. When pruning, make clean cuts just above a set of leaves to encourage branching.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDaphne 'Wilhelm Schacht' thrives in well-draining soil with a mix of two parts loam, one part peat, and one part sand or perlite. It requires a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingDaphne 'Wilhelm Schacht' does not like to be repotted often and should only be repotted every two to three years, or when the potting mix breaks down or the plant outgrows its container.
Humidity & MistingDaphne 'Wilhelm Schacht' prefers moderate humidity levels, around 40-50%, similar to typical indoor conditions, and does not require excessively high humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light, protect from drafts.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled shade, shelter from harsh weather.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cycleDaphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht', commonly known as Wilhelm Schacht Daphne, starts its life as a seed, which, after germination, grows into a young seedling. As the seedling matures, it develops a sturdy root system and foliage, eventually forming a woody shrub with dense, evergreen leaves. During its flowering stage, typically in late winter to early spring, it produces fragrant pink to purple blooms that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers give way to small, typically non-viable berries that may persist on the plant. The shrub reaches its mature size and shape after several years and can maintain its form for many years with proper care, in a slow growth pattern that is characteristic of many Daphne varieties. Daphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht' may ultimately decline, often due to disease or environmental factors since the genus is sensitive to difficult growing conditions; this period signals the end of the plant's life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Daphne × rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Schacht', commonly known as Daphne, is typically propagated by semi-ripe cuttings. This method involves taking cuttings from the plant during the late summer, when the new growth has started to harden slightly but is not yet fully mature. Cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long and include a few sets of leaves. The lower leaves are gently removed, and the cut is made just below a node, as this is where rooting hormones are most concentrated. These cuttings can then be dipped in rooting hormone and placed into a mixture of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining propagation medium. They are kept under high humidity and indirect light until roots develop, which can typically take several weeks. Once the cuttings have established a good root system, they can be potted up into individual pots and grown on until they are ready to be planted out.
