Mezereon Daphne mezereum
ABOUT
D. mezereum is a deciduous, rounded shrub to 1.5m. Flowers usually appear before the leaves, purplish-pink or purplish-red, clustered closely in twos and threes from buds on the twigs in early spring, very fragrant, followed by round red berries. Leaves oblanceolate, dull grey-green, short-stalked, to 9cm long
About this plant
NamesFamily
Thymelaeaceae.
Synonyms
February Daphne, Mezereon, Mezereum, Spurge Laurel, Paradise Plant.
Common names
Daphne acutiloba, Daphne cordata, Daphne laureola, Daphne mezereum var. autumnalis, Daphne mezereum var. caucasica, Daphne mezereum var. elongata, Daphne virens, Mezereum officinale, Mezereum vulgare, Thymelaea mezereum.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Spread
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental value: February Daphne is admired for its vibrant purple-pink flowers which add splashes of color to gardens in late winter and early spring.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a delightful fragrance, which can enrich the sensory experience of a garden.
- Attracts wildlife: The nectar-rich flowers can attract pollinators such as bees, providing ecological support for these insects.
- Low maintenance: February Daphne is known to require minimal care once established, making it a suitable choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Compact size: Its relatively small size allows it to be planted in smaller gardens or used in border arrangements without taking up too much space.
- Winter Interest: Its early flowering provides visual interest in the garden at a time when few other plants are in bloom.
Medical Properties- Analgesic: Historically used for its pain-relieving properties.
- Anti-rheumatic: Employed in traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatic conditions.
- Diuretic: Thought to stimulate urine production and used for urinary tract disorders.
- Emetic: Used in the past to induce vomiting as a form of detoxification.
- Purgative: Used to relieve constipation and for bowel cleansing.
- Vesicant: Can cause blisters when applied to the skin, historically used to treat warts and other skin conditions.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye Production: Daphne mezereum bark can be used to produce a rich, reddish-brown dye, applicable in textile processing.
- Ornamental Planting: Due to its attractive early spring flowers and bright red berries, it is often used for ornamental purposes in gardens, despite its toxicity.
- Wildlife Habitat: The berries provide a source of food for birds, particularly those which migrate, although they are poisonous to humans.
- Traditional Tools: The very hard wood of Daphne mezereum was historically used to make small, carved objects or fine traditional tools where toughness was required.
- Aromatics: The fragrant flowers of Daphne mezereum have been used for scenting natural perfumes or potpourri blends.
- Culinary Garnish: Despite its poisonous nature, the flowers, when used sparingly, could serve as a decorative, non-edible garnish for dishes in high-end culinary presentations.
- Ink Making: The berries can be used to make a natural, purple-colored ink for artistic or craft purposes.
- Photography: Because of its early flowering, it is used as a subject in nature photography and botanical studies, contributing to early spring aesthetic in such visual arts.
- Landscaping: Daphne mezereum is used in landscaping to create natural barriers or to provide seasonal color contrasts due to its bright foliage and berries.
- Frost Indicator: The timing of the plant's blooming can be an informal method for gardeners to gauge the end of frosty conditions in a region, assisting in timing for planting other less hardy species.
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- Purity: Daphne mezereum, commonly known as February Daphne, is often associated with purity, possibly due to the delicate and seemingly untainted appearance of its flowers.
- Protection: Linked with ancient myths, particularly those surrounding the nymph Daphne, the February Daphne is believed to signify protection as she was transformed into a laurel tree to protect her from Apollo's advances.
- Warning: Given that February Daphne is highly toxic, it can symbolize a warning or caution, reminding us of the potential dangers that can be concealed beneath beauty.
- European Folklore: In European folklore, February Daphne is tied to superstitions and is thought to hold magical properties, becoming a symbol of both the mystical and the elusive.
- Love and Affection: Despite its toxicity, the February Daphne can represent love and affection, mirroring the duality of love's nature—enchanting yet sometimes hazardous.
WaterFebruary Daphne, which Daphne mezereum is commonly known as, requires moderate watering. During the growing season, water the plant deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not soggy. It's important to avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. As a guideline, provide about 1 gallon of water per watering session. In the dormant season, reduce watering frequency, but do not let the soil become completely dry.
LightFebruary Daphne thrives best in partial shade to full sun. It is advisable to place the plant in a location where it can receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates. Avoid exposing the plant to the harsh midday sun as it can cause leaf burn.
TemperatureThe February Daphne is a hardy plant that can withstand a range of temperatures, thriving ideally between 60°F and 75°F. It can tolerate cold down to about -5°F and endure short periods of heat up to 95°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme temperature fluctuations to maintain its health.
PruningPruning February Daphne is usually done to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth. It should be pruned early in spring after it finishes flowering. Pruning too often or too heavily can harm the plant, so it's best to only remove dead or broken branches and any excessively long shoots. Annual light pruning is typically sufficient.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFebruary Daphne requires well-draining soil with a mixture of loam, sand, and organic matter, at a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 to thrive.
RepottingFebruary Daphne rarely needs repotting; do it cautiously every 2-3 years, if necessary, to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingFebruary Daphne prefers moderate humidity levels but can tolerate the average home environment without special humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place February Daphne in bright, indirect light and cool temperatures indoors.
Outdoor
Plant February Daphne in partial shade, protect from harsh sun.
Hardiness zone
February Daphne thrives in zones 4-8 USDA.
Life cycleMezereon (Daphne mezereum) begins its life cycle as a seed, which when sown in well-drained soil and exposed to the right conditions, germinates to produce a small seedling. The seedling goes through a vegetative state, where it develops roots, stems, and leaves, establishing itself and preparing for future growth. After a few years, the plant matures and enters the flowering phase in late winter to early spring, producing fragrant pink or purple flowers before the leaves fully unfurl. Following pollination, typically by insects attracted to its scent, the plant develops red or yellow berries, which are toxic to humans but can be dispersed by birds. As a deciduous shrub, Mezereon then sheds its leaves in the autumn and enters a period of dormancy during the winter months. With the return of favorable conditions, the cycle recommences with new growth the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter-early spring
Daphne mezereum, commonly known as February Daphne, is typically propagated through seed, as this is the most popular method used for this particular plant. The seeds can be collected from ripe berries when they turn red, usually in late summer or early fall. After collection, they require a period of cold stratification for successful germination; this can be accomplished by mixing the seeds with moist sand and storing them in the refrigerator (at around 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit or 1-4 degrees Celsius) for three months. Following stratification, the seeds can be sown in pots or a nursery bed with well-draining soil and should be lightly covered with soil. Germination might take several months, and it's important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during this period. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots or their final location in the garden.
