Daphne odora Rogaldor

The Daphne odora Rogald'or or fragrant daphne is a shrub whose flowering is among the most fragrant. Appearing during winter, the floral buds grouped in umbels at the end of the branches are very decorative with their deep pink color. They open into small, pale pink flowers with a romantic charm that perfume the air for weeks. The variegated foliage is also remarkable, composed of leaves with a beautiful green color highlighted by a yellow margin. A plant suited for mild climates, moderately hardy, with a compact habit, it is perfect for brightening shaded areas, in cool, neutral to acidic soil.

Daphne is a member of the little-known family Thymelaeaceae, which includes nearly 500 species, including Edgeworthia and Pimelea, with their characteristic terminal flower clusters. There are around fifty species of Daphne, shrubs or shrubby plants native to Europe (the most common being D. mezereum or Mezereon, despite its toxicity), North Africa, and Asia.
Daphne odora is a botanical species native to Japan and China, countries where it has been cultivated for hundreds of years. Its wood, rich in fibers, provides excellent traditional paper pulp. It is also a plant used in Asian pharmacopoeia, a subtle art that requires perfect mastery of dosages, as all parts of the plant are toxic.

Daphne Rogald'or is a horticultural hybrid created by the Polish breeder Przemyslaw Rogalski, also the breeder of the variety Daphne odora Marianni Rogbret (Gold Medal at the professional Innovert Show 2009). It is an improvement of the well-known Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' appreciated by enthusiasts of the genus.
More compact than its predecessor, it forms a low-growing, slow-growing shrub, about 80 cm (31.5 in) in height and spread at maturity. These characteristics, coupled with moderate hardiness, encourage cultivation in containers in cold regions. It is particularly decorative with its beautiful evergreen foliage. It has lanceolate, narrow, pointed leaves of a superb green color enhanced by a fine, bright yellow margin all around the lamina.
Its slightly irregular, bushy habit gives it a very natural appearance, vaguely reminiscent of certain Rhododendrons with their slightly undulating, sometimes slightly drooping leaves. In winter, the tips of the branches are adorned with umbels, each containing about fifteen to twenty extremely decorative floral buds with their dark pink color, which contrasts beautifully with the foliage. The small flowers (about 1.5 cm (0.6 in)) are single, with 4 slightly pointed petals and a pale pink color that pleasantly coexists with the still closed dark buds. They bloom in February and March, for several weeks, spreading a delightful fragrance that combines carnation and jasmine. This fragrance is particularly welcome early in the season, heralding spring in the most beautiful way.
This shrub has moderate hardiness, up to about -10°C (14 °F) or -12°C (10.4 °F). In cold climates like those in the east, it can be perfectly cultivated in containers and overwintered in an unheated room, garage, or other room with a window.

Whether in the ground or in a container, place this Daphne Rogald'or in a high-traffic area to enjoy its intoxicating scent, in addition to its beautiful foliage. You can also integrate it into a diverse border, alongside other plants that thrive in cool shade. You can create a stunning scene by combining it with a Japanese Maple with red foliage, such as the beautiful Acer palmatum Twomblys Red Sentinel with a columnar habit. A Mountain Laurel such as the variety Ewa will take over the flowering after the Daphne, with its beautiful star-shaped buds opening into fused pink flowers. And for summer, you will find a wide range of Hydrangeas with various shapes and colors to suit your taste.