Daphne (Daphne × burkwoodii 'Silveredge')
Daphne × burkwoodii 'Silveredge' is a fragrant, slow-growing deciduous Daphne shrub prized for variegated leaves and pinkish-white spring blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ is a standout hybrid Daphne celebrated primarily for its intensely fragrant flowers that appear from April to May. This dense, slow-growing shrub offers seasonal interest thanks to its striking foliage, which features bright green leaves edged with creamy-yellow or silvery margins. Gardeners seeking strong fragrance and formal structure often select this specimen.
As a cross between D. Cneorum and D. Caucasica, the resulting Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ is a valuable addition to sheltered garden spaces. While it is generally classified as a deciduous shrub, its variegated leaves often provide color well into early winter, offering multi-season appeal.
This particular Daphne requires careful placement and specific soil conditions to thrive, reflecting its high maintenance needs. Successful cultivation centers on diligent drainage management and protection from harsh winds, ensuring this fragrant beauty remains a focal point in smaller gardens or borders.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Thymelaeaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Pinkish-white
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: High
How to Grow
The most critical factor for growing Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ is soil condition; these plants demand moist, rich, sandy-humusy, well-drained soils with a neutral pH. If you are gardening in heavy clay, consider planting this Daphne on a mound or raised area to guarantee superior drainage and prevent root issues. Locate your plant where it receives filtered light or part shade, ensuring it is protected from harsh winter winds and direct, intense afternoon sun.
Watering must be consistent; do not allow the soil around your Daphne to dry out completely, especially during the summer months. A beneficial practice is applying a summer mulch or ground cover, which helps keep the root zone cool and retains necessary moisture. Since Daphne plants are often slow to establish, resist the urge to frequently move or disturb them once they settle into their permanent location.
Due to its sensitivity, maintenance for this Daphne is rated as high. Avoid aggressive pruning; focus efforts on removing the occasional dead twig. Winter protection is paramount; plants weakened by exposure to cold winds or improper sun exposure are much more prone to subsequent disease or decline, making proper initial site selection essential for long-term success.
Landscape Uses
Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ is perfectly sized as a small, rounded shrub, making it highly effective in intimate garden settings where its fragrant spring display can be fully appreciated. It excels when used as an accent plant or specimen due to its attractive variegated foliage and beautiful flowers. Consider incorporating this Daphne into shrub borders where its form can contrast with looser, more informal plantings.
Its structure also lends itself well to formal foundation plantings near entryways, ensuring visitors are greeted by its intense aroma. When planning companions, always select plants that share its preference for part shade and excellent drainage, avoiding aggressive spreaders that might compete with the slow-to-establish Daphne. This plant provides year-round visual interest, functioning beautifully in woodland gardens or as an anchor in mixed perennial beds.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Daphnes are well known for their intensely fragrant flowers. This daphne hybrid is a cross between D. Cneorum and D. Caucasica.Genus name originally used for laurel (Laurus nobilis) but later transferred to this genus. Originally, from the nymph of the same name from Greek mythology, but could come from an Indo-Indo-European word meaning odor.The hybrid name burkwoodii honors the brothers Albert Burkwood (1890-?) and Arthur Burkwood (1888-1951), English nurserymen and plant hybridizers.‘Silveredge’ is noted for its intensely fragrant pinkish-white flowers and its variegated foliage. It is a slow-growing, densely-branched, semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub which typically grows 3-4’ (less frequently to 5’) tall with a rounded, mounding habit. Features clusters of extremely fragrant, pinkish-white flowers in spring which are followed by tiny red drupes (1/3” wide) in fall. Small, dense, oblong, bright green leaves (to 1 1/2” long) with creamy-yellow to silvery margins often persist well into December with no fall color. Similar in appearance to the popular Daphne x burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie’, except ‘Silveredge’ is reportedly somewhat more upright and vigorous.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Although many nurseries consider this plant to be winter hardy to USDA Zone 4, daphnes in the St. Louis area often suffer significant winter injury in severe winters, particularly if improperly planted in locations exposed to cold winter winds and full sun. Plants weakened by winter injury are more susceptible to disease problems. Potential diseases include leaf spots, canker, twig blight, crown rot and virus. Potential insect pests include aphids, mealy bugs and scale. Plants can be temperamental. Michael Dirr reports that daphnes sometimes die very quickly for “no explicable reason.”
Mitigating potential problems requires vigilant attention to cultural needs. Always ensure excellent soil drainage, as crown rot is a major threat, especially in wet winters. Protect Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ from abrasive winter winds and excessive reflected heat from nearby structures or pavement. Regular inspection for common pests like scale or aphids and prompt treatment can prevent major infestations that weaken the shrub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ suitable for?
This beautiful Daphne is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Daphne grow?
When mature, Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ typically reaches a height between 3 and 5 feet, with a similar spread between 3 and 5 feet, maintaining a rounded, mounding habit.
What sun exposure does Daphne need?
This plant thrives best when positioned in part shade, requiring protection from intense midday or afternoon sun exposure.
When does Daphne bloom?
Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ displays its blooms from April into May, producing clusters of highly fragrant, pinkish-white flowers.
Conclusion
The intensely fragrant spring blooms and attractive variegated foliage make Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’ a highly rewarding, though challenging, addition to the landscape. Proper site selection, focusing on excellent drainage and shelter, is key to ensuring the longevity of this prized Daphne hybrid. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone and prepare a rich, well-drained soil environment to give your new shrub the best possible start.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Daphne × burkwoodii ‘Silveredge’, prioritize plants that naturally thrive in dappled light and rich, organic soil, mirroring the Daphne’s cultural needs. Consider incorporating shade-loving perennials such as Hellebores (Lenten Roses), which bloom earlier or later, ensuring continuous interest without competing aggressively for resources. Hostas are excellent partners, though select smaller varieties so they do not overwhelm the slow-growing shrub.
Another thoughtful match includes woodland ephemerals like bloodroot or ferns, which appreciate the cool, moist conditions this Daphne prefers under its canopy. Because aggressive root systems can stress the Daphne, avoid planting large, thirsty shrubs nearby. The goal is to create a layered, temperate woodland edge where air circulation is adequate but roots remain consistently cool and moist throughout the growing season.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the time to appreciate the showy, fragrant flowers of the Daphne. Once blooming concludes (late spring/early summer), apply a light, balanced fertilizer if necessary, avoiding high nitrogen formulas which encourage soft growth susceptible to winter damage. Keep the area lightly mulched to retain soil moisture approaching summer heat.
Summer care focuses entirely on hydration. Since Daphne needs consistently moist soil, increase watering frequency during dry spells, aiming to never let the root zone dry out completely. Avoid disturbing the soil near the base of the plant to protect its sensitive root system.
Fall preparation is crucial for winter success. Reduce watering slightly as temperatures cool to encourage hardening off of the wood. Ensure the plant has established its root system before the first hard freeze, which minimizes the winter injury that compromised plants often suffer. In cold zones, consider providing temporary wind protection for the fall and winter.
