Daphne mezereum, February daphne
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Deciduous Shrubs

Daphne mezereum

February daphne

Thymelaeaceae

Europe from British Isles east through Scandinavia and Russia, south to Turkey and western Asia

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height3-5 feet (90 cm-1.5 m)
Width2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Fragrant (strong)
Maintenancelow

Overview

Daphne mezereum (February daphne, mezereon) is a small, upright deciduous shrub native to Europe and western Asia, reaching 3–5 feet (90 cm–1.5 m) tall and 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) wide in a narrow, somewhat sparse upright form. It is grown for one of the most intensely fragrant and earliest-season floral displays of any temperate shrub: in February through March, clusters of 3–5 deep pink to magenta-purple tubular flowers 0.4 inch (10 mm) long emerge directly from the bare stems before a single leaf appears, scenting the air powerfully on still days. The fragrance is rich, sweet, and penetrating — detectable from 10–20 feet (3–6 m) away on warm days. After flowering, narrow blue-green leaves emerge; round, shiny red berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) ripen in June through August. Critical safety note: all parts of Daphne mezereum are highly toxic — the sap can cause skin blistering, and the berries, though attractive, can cause severe poisoning or death in children, pets, and adults if ingested. Even small quantities of berries are dangerous. Great Plant Picks endorsed. One important characteristic that gardeners must know: Daphne mezereum is prone to sudden, unexplained death — a plant that has grown and flowered for years may die abruptly within days or weeks with no apparent cause. This is a documented and accepted aspect of growing daphnes and is not the gardener's fault; have a successor plant ready.

Native Range

Native to Europe from the British Isles east through Scandinavia and Russia, and south through the Alps and Balkans to Turkey and western Asia. Grows naturally in woodland margins, scrub, and chalk and limestone slopes.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen or accent plant for extraordinary late-winter fragrance — Great Plant Picks endorsed for PNW gardens. The February through March flowering on bare stems is among the earliest and most intensely scented displays of any hardy garden shrub. Site near a path, doorway, or seating area where the powerful fragrance can be fully appreciated. The compact size (3–5 feet) suits small gardens. Plant in a sheltered spot with afternoon shade. Combines beautifully with early bulbs — snowdrops, crocus, early narcissus — that bloom at the same time. The red summer berries are ornamental but must be treated as a serious safety hazard near children; site accordingly.

How to Identify

Identified in February through March by clusters of intensely fragrant deep pink to magenta-purple tubular flowers 0.4 inch (10 mm) emerging in groups of 3–5 directly from the bare stems before leaves appear — one of the first flowering shrubs of the year. Narrow, oblanceolate blue-green leaves 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) emerge after flowering. Round, shiny red berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) in June through August are attractive but highly toxic. The narrow, upright, somewhat sparse growth habit and tendency to flower on old wood are characteristic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Blooms February through March — one of the earliest-flowering shrubs — with clusters of 3–5 intensely fragrant deep pink to magenta-purple tubular flowers 0.4 inch (10 mm) emerging directly from bare stems before leaves appear. The fragrance is rich and penetrating, carrying 10–20 feet (3–6 m) on calm, mild days. The bloom period lasts 3–5 weeks. Round, shiny, highly toxic red berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) ripen in June through August after the leaves have fully emerged.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

deep pink to magenta-purple (intensely fragrant, on bare stems)

Foliage Description

blue-green in summer

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamchalksilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in dappled shade to part shade with good drainage in humus-rich, slightly alkaline to neutral soil — the conditions of its native chalk and limestone woodland habitat. Avoid waterlogged or heavy clay soils; the roots are extremely sensitive to standing water, which quickly causes root rot. In the PNW, plant where morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled light prevails. Do not disturb the roots after planting — daphnes resent transplanting and root disturbance. Mulch to keep roots cool and moist. Daphne mezereum is susceptible to several viruses and phytoplasmas transmitted by aphids and other insects; keep plants healthy and monitor for aphid infestations. Sudden unexplained death — plants collapsing with no apparent cause after years of good growth — is a well-documented and accepted characteristic of this genus; this is not caused by poor gardening practice. All parts are highly toxic — wear gloves when working with this plant and keep away from children and pets.

Pruning

Minimal pruning. Remove dead wood immediately to prevent disease entry. Do not hard-prune — daphnes do not regenerate from old wood. Light tidying of wayward stems after flowering (March through April) is acceptable if needed. The narrow upright form requires no corrective shaping. Wear gloves when pruning as the sap can irritate or blister skin.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans