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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Daphne bholua is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

D. cannabina. pro parte. D. papyrifera.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic Febrifuge

The juice of the roots, combined with molasses, is used in the treatment of fevers and intestinal problems[272]. A decoction of the bark is used to treat fevers[272]. The powdered seeds are anthelmintic[272].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre Paper

A very good quality paper is made from the inner bark[11, 46, 51, 61, 272]. It is one of the principle sources of hand made paper in Nepal[272]. The fibre in the inner bark can be used to make rope[146, 272].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a cool lime-free well-drained sandy loam and a sunny position[1, 11]. Succeeds in neutral soils[11] and tolerates partial shade[200]. Plants also succeed in quite deep shade[219]. At least some forms, especially the sub-species D. bholua glacialis.(see below) tolerate alkaline soils[184]. Flowers well when grown in dry shade[184]. Likes plenty of moisture in the growing season[11]. Grows well in London, tolerating atmospheric pollution[184]. Said to be hardy to about -5°c[200], plants succeed outdoors in southern England, but are defoliated in severe winters[11]. Plants at higher altitudes in its native range are often deciduous whilst plants from lower altitudes are evergreen but less hardy[166]. A very variable and very ornamental species[1, 200], the cultivars 'Ghurka' (deciduous) and 'Jacqueline Postill' (evergreen) are more hardy than the type[182, 200]. One report says that the cultivar 'Ghurka' is part of the deciduous sub-species D. bholua glacialis. (W.W.Smith.&Cave.)Burtt. and that it can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c[184]. The flowers are fragrant[272]. Because it flowers in the winter, this species seldom produces much seed in Britain unless it is hand-pollinated[214]. Plants often sucker and form clumps in the wild[214]. Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible[188].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe with the pot sealed in a polythene bag to hold in the moisture. Remove this bag as soon as germination takes place[164]. The seed usually germinates better if it is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant) and sown immediately. Germination should normally take place by spring, though it sometimes takes a further year. Stored seed is more problematic. It should be warm stratified for 8 - 12 weeks at 20°c followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°c. Germination may still take another 12 months or more at 15°c[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, June/July in a frame[214]. Division of suckers[214]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Brachyloma ciliatum	Daphne Heath	Shrub	0.4	8-11	S	LMH	SN	M	0	0
Chamaedaphne calyculata	Leather Leaf	Shrub	0.8	6-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Daphne genkwa	Lilac Daphne	Shrub	1.5	4-8		MH	SN	M	0	3
Daphne gnidium	Flax-Leaved Daphne	Shrub	1.5	7-10		MH	SN	DM	0	1
Daphne involucrata		Shrub	0.0	-		MH	SN	M	0	0	1
Daphne laureola	Spurge Laurel	Shrub	1.0	6-9		MH	FS	DM	0	1	0
Daphne mezereum	Mezereon, Paradise plant, February Daphne	Shrub	1.5	4-7	M	MH	S	M	0	2	2
Daphne odora	Winter Daphne, Fragrant Daphne	Shrub	1.5	7-9	S	MH	SN	M	0	2	3
Daphne oleoides		Shrub	1.0	7-10		MH	N	DM	1	1
Daphne papyracea		Shrub	1.5	7-10		MH	S	M	0	1	1
Daphne pseudomezereum		Shrub	1.5	5-9		MH	S	M	0	0	1
Salix daphnoides	Violet Willow, Daphne willow	Tree	10.0	4-8	F	LMH	N	MWe	1	2	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don.

Botanical References

1151200

Links / References

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Readers comment


Caroline P	Tue Oct 6 2009

My 10-year-old "Jacqueline Postill" (2 m high x 1 m wide) has produced about a dozen suckers which seem to be have survived potting up. Grown in a sheltered but very dry position in quite heavy shade in Surrey it withstood vicoius winds and temperatures which descended a few times to -15 centrigrade overnight last winter - not to mention being covered in snow for several days...

Daphne bholua - Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don.