Garland Flower Daphne cneorum 'Eximia'
ABOUT
The Daphne cneorum 'Eximia,' commonly known as the Garland Flower, is a decorative, evergreen shrub that captivates with its tidy and dense growth habit. The plant is adorned with small, glossy, dark green leaves that maintain their luster throughout the year. These leaves are arranged in whorls, which create a lush and textured appearance. Perhaps the most striking feature of the Garland Flower is its blossoms. In the spring, this plant is festooned with clusters of fragrant pink flowers. Each flower radiates a delightful scent that can enchant any garden. The blooms are shaped like tiny trumpets, adding an elegant and dainty aspect to the plant. Following the flowering season, the Garland Flower may produce small red fruits, which add yet another layer of visual interest. These fruits can attract birds, making the plant not only a visual but also an ecological asset to a garden. The overall impression of the Garland Flower is one of a refined shrub that offers year-round beauty and an enchanting fragrance, making it a cherished addition to landscapes aiming for a persistent splash of color and texture.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Thymelaeaceae
Synonyms
Garland Flower, Rose Daphne, Eximia Garland Flower
Common names
Daphne cneorum 'Eximia'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as the Garland Flower is considered toxic to humans. All parts of the plant contain toxic substances, and ingestion can lead to severe symptoms. These may include burning sensations in the mouth and throat, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, intake can result in systemic effects such as headache, dizziness, and convulsions. Cardiovascular collapse may occur in extreme cases of poisoning. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if ingestion is suspected.
To pets
The Garland Flower is also toxic to pets. All parts of the plant, including the berries, contain toxins that can lead to poisoning in animals. Symptoms of ingestion in pets can include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, and in severe cases, even death. The plant's toxins can affect the heart, leading to potentially serious or fatal complications. If you suspect your pet has ingested any part of this plant, it is crucial to seek veterinary care immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
3 feet (90 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Daphne cneorum 'Eximia', commonly referred to as Garland Flower, has beautiful pink flowers that add color and visual interest to gardens.
- Fragrance: This plant emits a delightful scent that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden or landscape setting.
- Compact Growth: Its small and compact growth habit makes it suitable for garden borders, rock gardens, or as a ground cover.
- Attracts Pollinators: Garland Flower attracts bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollinating other plants in the garden.
- Seasonal Interest: This plant offers extended spring blooming, which helps to bridge the gap between early spring blooming plants and summer-flowering varieties.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Garland Flower can tolerate dry conditions once it is well-established, which can be helpful in areas with water-use restrictions or xeriscaping.
- Deer Resistance: The plant is known to be resistant to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Daphne cneorum 'Eximia', commonly known as Garland Flower, can be used for miniature bonsai cultivation due to its slow growth and shrubby form.
- The plant's dense growth habit makes it suitable for creating low, evergreen borders in garden design, providing year-round foliage structure.
- Garland Flower's resistance to deer and other herbivores makes it an ideal choice for gardens in areas with prevalent wildlife.
- The aromatic leaves can be used to make natural sachets, which provide a pleasant fragrance when placed in wardrobes or drawers.
- Its blossoms can be incorporated into potpourris, as they retain their sweet scent even after drying.
- The dense foliage of the Garland Flower is excellent for creating small privacy screens in a garden, especially in rock gardens and alpine settings.
- Because of its attractive form, the plant can be grown in decorative containers to grace patios, terraces, or balconies with its beauty.
- Garland Flower can be used as a living wreath base, where its woody stems and evergreen leaves provide structure for additional decorations.
- The plant’s compact nature is conducive to creating intricate garden patterns, such as knot gardens and parterres, especially in formal garden settings.
- Garland Flower wood, being sturdy and fine-grained, could potentially be used for small-scale woodcraft projects, such as carving or for making inlays in furniture.
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- Purity: Daphne has been associated with purity and innocence, partly due to its delicate, fragrant flowers.
- Eternal love: In Greek mythology, Daphne was turned into a laurel tree to escape Apollo, which can be interpreted as an eternal preservation of love.
- Protection: The Daphne plant, especially in mythology, was considered protective as it was transformed from the nymph to shield her.
- Good luck: Because of its evergreen nature and pleasing aroma, it has been thought to bring good fortune and beckon positive vibes.
- Immortality: The longevity and evergreen quality of the plant suggest themes of immortality and the enduring spirit.
WaterThe Garland Flower should be watered on a regular basis with particular attention to maintaining consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions. During the growing season, watering once a week with approximately 1 gallon of water, depending on climate and soil conditions, should suffice. In hotter, drier conditions, you may need to water twice a week. Reduce watering frequency during the dormant season and water just enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out, which might be as little as 1 gallon every two weeks. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering.
LightThe Garland Flower prefers partial shade to full sun exposure. Ideally, place it in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid intense midday sun, which can be too harsh and lead to scorching of the leaves.
TemperatureThe Garland Flower thrives in a temperature range of 60°F to 75°F but can survive temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 80°F. It is best to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations and protect the plant from frost, which can damage the foliage and flowers.
PruningPruning the Garland Flower is essential to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove any dead or diseased wood. Prune lightly after flowering in late spring to early summer. Do not prune too heavily, as the plant can be slow to recover. Deadheading spent flowers can also promote a tidy appearance and potentially encourage a second bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGarland Flower thrives best in well-draining soil with a mix of two-thirds organic matter like peat moss or compost and one-third perlite or coarse sand. The soil pH should ideally be between 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingGarland Flower should be repotted every 2 to 3 years; it prefers not to be disturbed too often due to its sensitive root system.
Humidity & MistingGarland Flower prefers moderate humidity levels, generally around 50-60%, without the requirement for high humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Garland Flower in bright indirect light and maintain cool temps.
Outdoor
Plant Garland Flower in dappled shade with shelter from intense sun.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleDaphne cneorum 'Eximia', commonly known as the Garland Flower, begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in late spring after a period of cold stratification that breaks their dormancy. Seedlings grow slowly, developing a woody stem and forming a low, mounding shrub with evergreen foliage. In spring to early summer, the plant blooms, producing fragrant pink flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into small red drupes (berries) by late summer, which may be dispersed by birds or gravity. The plant continues to mature, spreading through rhizomes and layering, creating a denser mat of foliage. As a perennial, the Garland Flower's foliage persists through winter, and the plant can live for many years, reaching full maturity in about three to five years and continuing its reproductive cycle annually.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating the Garland Flower 'Eximia' is by semi-hardwood cuttings. This is best done in late summer when the new growth has started to mature but is not yet fully hard. Cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, with a few leaves left at the top. The lower leaves are removed before the cutting is dipped in rooting hormone to enhance root development. Then, the cutting is placed in a well-draining potting mix and kept in a humid, bright environment without direct sunlight. The medium should be kept moist but not wet to prevent rot. Roots typically form in a few weeks, after which the new plants can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions before being planted out.
