Winter flowering plants – Daphne Bholua

Daphne Bholua

I was wandering around the garden today and noticed my Daphne Bholua is in flower. This is one of my favourite plants at this time of the year. The smell is amazing and on a sunny winter’s day it will perfume the whole garden. Depending upon your situation it grows as a medium sized shrub or  tree and is covered in small white, pink edged flowers for at least two to three months.

My plant is called ‘Jacqueline Postill’ and is one the hardiest varieties. It is now around 12 feet tall and a very impressive specimen. The flowers start as pale pink buds and open to pretty white stars.

Benefits for wildlife

• It’s a very attractive source of nectar for any winter flying insects as it flowers for months.
• It provides a place for birds to nest
• It’s next to a birdbath so the birds can land in it and then fly down safely to the birdbath

Looking after it

Daphnes can be a bit temperamental. It’s best to find the right spot and not move them. I lightly prune mine so I can walk round it and that’s it.

I highly recommend having this plant in your garden. As well as being good for wildlife, you can also cut the flowers and enjoy the scent indoors.