Garland flower Daphne cneorum
ABOUT
The plant known as the garland flower is an evergreen shrub that is prized for its attractive and sweet-smelling properties. It displays an abundance of rosy-pink, tubular flowers that are grouped together in small clusters. These blossoms typically appear from late spring until early summer, exuding a delightful fragrance that can make it a favorite in gardens where scent is a desired feature. The foliage of the garland flower consists of narrow, glossy leaves that are rich green in color, contributing to its year-round appeal. The leaves are arranged in a whorled or sometimes opposite fashion along the branches, providing a dense, lush look. The combination of its floral and foliar beauty makes the garland flower a popular choice for rock gardens, borders, and as groundcover in appropriate climates. Even without specifying its size, it's evident that the garland flower carries a presence in the garden through its charming blossoms and aromatic contribution. However, it's important to note that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so care should be taken when planting it in areas frequented by children or pets.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Thymelaeaceae
Synonyms
Garland Flower, Rose Daphne, Alpine Daphne
Common names
Daphne cneorum var. pygmaea, Daphne pygmaea.
ToxicityTo humans
The Garland flower (Daphne cneorum) is a toxic plant to humans. All parts of the plant contain daphnetoxin, which can cause severe symptoms if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning may include burning sensations in the mouth and throat, increased salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, and even convulsions and coma in severe cases. Skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis, blisters, and inflammation.
To pets
Garland flower (Daphne cneorum) is poisonous to pets. The entire plant, including the berries, leaves, and bark, contains toxic substances such as daphnetoxin. If ingested by pets, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, weakness, and more severe symptoms like convulsions or coma can occur in extreme cases. It's important to prevent pets from having access to this plant due to its high toxicity.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 feet (0.3 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Daphne cneorum, commonly known as the Garland Flower, features attractive pink or sometimes white flowers that add color and aesthetic appeal to gardens.
- Fragrance: The Garland Flower is well-known for its strong and pleasant fragrance, which can enhance the sensory experience of a garden or landscape.
- Evergreen Shrub: Being an evergreen plant, it provides year-round interest and greenery in gardens, offering consistency even during colder months.
- Low Maintenance: It is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Ground Cover: The Garland Flower grows as a mat-forming shrub, which makes it an excellent ground cover plant, reducing weed growth and soil erosion.
- Attracts Wildlife: Its flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for the health of the garden and local ecosystems.
- Size: With its compact growth habit, the Garland Flower is suitable for small gardens or spaces where controlling plant size is important.
- Border Plant: Suitable as a border plant, it can define garden paths or property lines and can be incorporated into rock gardens or alpine collections due to its form and size.
Medical Properties- Antimicrobial: In some traditional medicines, Daphne cneorum extracts are believed to have antimicrobial properties.
- Analgesic: There are claims in ethnobotany that the plant may have pain-relieving effects.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Daphne cneorum, commonly known as garland flower, can be used in landscaping for ground cover in rock gardens, providing an attractive layer of foliage and flowers over rocky terrain.
- The garland flower is often chosen for scented gardens; its intense fragrance can create a pleasant sensory experience in a dedicated section of a garden designed to appeal to the sense of smell.
- This plant is suitable for borders in traditional cottage gardens, contributing to the charming and informal mix of flowering plants typically found in this garden style.
- In alpine and subalpine garden designs, garland flower can be incorporated as it is well-suited to the conditions that mimic high altitude environments.
- Daphne cneorum's evergreen nature allows it to be used as a winter garden feature, providing color and interest during the colder months.
- Its slow-growing, low-spreading habit makes the garland flower an effective choice for erosion control on slight slopes, helping to stabilize the soil with its root system.
- Due to its compact size, the garland flower can be grown in containers, allowing those with limited space, such as balconies or patios, to enjoy its beauty and fragrance.
- In floral arrangements, cuttings of garland flower can be used for their aromatic quality and delicate blossoms, often in smaller, informal bouquets.
- Gardeners who specialize in butterfly gardens may plant garland flower to attract pollinators, as it provides a nectar source for a variety of insects.
- Bonsai enthusiasts may use Daphne cneorum for creating miniature landscapes, taking advantage of its small stature and the natural appearance of its woody branches.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Garland Spurge is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Garland Spurge is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Sweetness and Innocence: Daphne cneorum, commonly known as rose daphne, often symbolizes sweetness and innocence due to its delicate, sweet-scented flowers that evoke a sense of purity and simplicity.
- Protection: In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph turned into a laurel tree to protection herself from Apollo. As such, the rose daphne plant is sometimes associated with protection and safety.
- Eternal Love: The evergreen nature of rose daphne, which retains its leaves throughout the year, can symbolize eternal and enduring love that does not fade with the seasons.
WaterWatering the Garland Spurge, or Daphne cneorum, should be done carefully to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil. Typically, it is recommended to water this plant once every week to a week and a half, providing about 1 to 1.5 inches of water each time. The exact amount can vary depending on the climate and weather conditions; in hot, dry weather, you may need to water more frequently. It is imperative to ensure the plant has good drainage to prevent root rot. When watering, it's best to apply water directly to the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of disease.
LightThe Garland Spurge thrives in partial shade to full sun conditions. The ideal spot for this plant would be an area that receives morning sunlight and is shaded in the hotter part of the afternoon, as too much intense sun can damage the foliage. However, it is also capable of growing in a slightly shadier spot, making it quite versatile in terms of lighting preferences.
TemperatureThe Garland Spurge prefers temperate conditions and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. It can tolerate temperatures down to about -30 degrees Fahrenheit but generally thrives when the temperature is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it's important to protect the plant from extreme temperature fluctuations and harsh winter winds that could cause damage to the plant.
PruningPruning the Garland Spurge helps to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth. The best time to prune is after the plant has finished blooming in late spring or early summer. It's advisable to remove any dead or damaged branches and to thin out dense growth to allow light and air to circulate better within the plant. Typically, light pruning once a year is sufficient for this plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGarland flower thrives in a well-draining soil mix consisting of equal parts loam, peat, and sharp sand, which ensures adequate drainage and aeration. The best pH for this soil mix should be slightly alkaline to neutral, ranging from about 7.0 to 7.5.
RepottingGarland flower does not require frequent repotting and can generally be repotted every 2-3 years or when it has clearly outgrown its container. It's important to handle the roots carefully during this process.
Humidity & MistingGarland flower prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to lower humidity if its other cultural requirements are met. It does not typically require high humidity environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep garland flower near a bright window, in a cool spot with ambient light.
Outdoor
Plant garland flower in a sunny to partial shade, sheltered from winds.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Daphne cneorum, commonly known as the Garland Flower, begins with seed germination, favored by a moist and well-drained soil environment. Once sprouted, seedlings develop into young plants, establishing a deep root system and foliage within the first growing season. The plant will mature and start to bloom in early to late spring, producing fragrant, pink to red tubular flowers. After pollination, typically by insects, the flowers will develop into small red or black berry-like fruits during the summer, which contain the seeds for the next generation. Although the Garland Flower is a perennial, it has a relatively short lifespan and may need replacement after several years. Throughout its life, the plant requires minimal maintenance, but it does need protection from extreme winter conditions and benefits from occasional pruning to maintain a compact growth habit.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Daphne cneorum, commonly known as the Garland Flower, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This is typically done in late summer. To propagate by this method, a gardener would select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6-inch (about 10 to 15 centimeters) length. The bottom end of the cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a well-draining potting mix. The cutting should be kept in a well-lit area but out of direct sunlight and maintained at a consistent humidity by covering it with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagation case. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plants can eventually be transplanted into the garden.
