February
Daphne (Mezereon) - Daphne mezereumMembers of the Thymelaeaceae family, this pretty specimen is native to Europe and is often found naturalized in North America. The shrub is named after Daphne, wo in Greek mythology, was the daughter of the river god.
Daphne is one of the earliest blooming shrubs producing rosy purple, very fragrant blooms in abundance in advance of bright red berries, which make excellent food for wildlife (though not for people as they are poisonous to humans) as well as being very attractive. They make excellent landscaping and specimen plants and work well as plantings along tree borders.
Daphnes are easily propagated by means of seed, cuttings or layering. Seed should be sown as soon as they are ripe. Planting saved seeds requires a bit of patience as it takes more time, as it takes work to break dormancy. Saved seed should be soaked in warm water for 24 hous, then warm stratified for 120 days, then cold stratified for 90 days. Alternatively, seeds may be treated with gibberillic acid after stratification to increase germination rates.
D. mezereum is often used as an understock for other types of Daphne. The plants prefer a deep loamy, moist soil and do not do very well in hot dry climates. They prefer full sun, but can do quite well in dappled shade.
Hardy to -30F (-34.4C)
