Question From: S. Rivera - OREGON
Q: My expenxsive Daphne plants purchased from 7 dees nursery are just hideous. I kept thinking they would fill in and grow upward and even bloom. But Nooooo. So weird. They lay flat on the ground, branches sprawled out leaving the centers of the plant exposed. After about 3 years they finally have a few blooms on them. The blooms are fragrant. I dont get it. I have never seen such ugly Daphne. Yet, they are healthy with very green varigated leaves and med thick healthy branches. I have babied them to no avail. What happened? Were these just sick from the nursery? They did not grow to look anything like the attached tagged photos when I bought them. I am ready to dig them up and make them debris.
A:
Sally, Don't take this personally. Daphnes are finicky. Woodie guru Mike Dirr says it takes voodoo to grow them and he has lost dozens. They will up and die on you for no apparant reason. That said, here's the skinny. They need incredible drainage, organic rich soil, consistant moisture and light shade. They resent disturbance. Plants often flop if over fertilized. If you plant them in good soil and mulch with a good organic material such as composted wood chips they don't need it. Good Luck. PS if it were me, I'd compost them. There are too many other great plants to grow and you live in evergreen heaven. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.
