Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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most fragrant daphne plant

Searching for the most fragrant daphne plant for your New Zealand garden? Daphne are famed for their intoxicating scent, and choosing the perfect variety means your outdoor spaces can be enjoyed for months on end. The right daphne can turn a shaded corner or front entry into a haven of perfume, especially in the cooler months when fragrance is most appreciated. Whether you’re seeking a plant for containers, borders, or close to the doorstep, the right variety will reward you with lush blooms and legendary scent.

Gardenia Fragrant Star

Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its intensely perfumed, star-shaped white flowers and glossy green foliage. Blooming from late spring into summer, it adds elegance and scent to gardens. This variety thrives in full sun to part shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Ideal for borders, patio pots, or near entrances, 'Fragrant Star' is a low-maintenance plant that creates fragrant, eye-catching displays in both formal and tropical-style landscapes.

Buy Gardenia Fragrant Star

From $26.93

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn, Winter

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical, White

Daphne 'Perfume Princess' pink flowers and green foliage.

Daphne Perfume Princess (Perfume Princess Daphne)

Daphne Perfume Princess produces masses of highly fragrant, blush-pink flowers from mid-winter through spring. It grows with a rounded shape and carries leathery, glossy, dark green leaves as it grows to 1 m tall and the same wide. Daphne Perfume Princess is commonly planted around outdoor living areas such as pools and the like, included in mixed and border plantings, maintained in a container, added to cottage gardens, or planted close to a window or door so the fragrance can fill the house.

Buy Daphne Perfume Princess (Perfume Princess Daphne)

From $47.18

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Winter

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical

What Makes Daphne So Fragrant?

The daphne genus is celebrated for exceptionally powerful fragrance, often described as sweet, spicy, and citrus-like. Daphnes bloom mainly through winter and early spring—a time when few other plants compete for attention—making them especially valuable. Among the most fragrant daphne plants, flower clusters are loaded with nectar, which not only draws humans outdoors but also attracts pollinators on sunny winter days.

Top Choices for the Most Fragrant Daphne Plant

Not all daphne cultivars offer the same level of perfume. When gardeners think of the most fragrant daphne plant, a few standout varieties always top the list:

Daphne odora (Winter Daphne)

Regarded by many as the ultimate in daphne scent, Daphne odora (Winter Daphne) is a classic choice. Its creamy-pink or white flowers pack a delightfully sweet and spicy punch. Strongly scented, Winter Daphne is best placed near paths or entryways, so every journey outside is filled with its captivating aroma.

Daphne Leucanthe (Winter Daphne Leucanthe)

For fragrance with a slightly different floral note, Daphne Leucanthe (Winter Daphne Leucanthe) is a superb pick. Its generous flower clusters deliver waves of scent even from several metres away. It thrives in semi-shade and provides consistent perfume for several weeks each year.

Daphne odora Marginata (Variegated Fragrant Daphne)

If you want superb scent and outstanding foliage, Daphne odora Marginata (Variegated Fragrant Daphne) offers both. With the same remarkable fragrance as straight Winter Daphne, this variety boasts glossy, edged leaves that shine year-round.

Daphne odora Rubra (Red Winter Daphne)

[Winter Daphne]’s stunning deep-pink cousin, Daphne odora Rubra (Red Winter Daphne), fills the air with an equally intoxicating scent. Its ruby buds open into starry blooms, maintaining that classic daphne aroma gardeners crave.

Daphne Burkwoodii (Burkwood Daphne)

For those looking for a slightly subtler fragrance paired with reliable blooming and graceful shape, Daphne Burkwoodii (Burkwood Daphne) is a fantastic choice. Its perfume may be a touch lighter, but it still reliably perfumes spring evenings.

Growing Tips for Fragrant Daphnes

To enjoy the most fragrant daphne plant, site your shrub where people pass regularly and where the perfume can linger. Daphnes love free-draining, slightly acidic soils, and gentle morning sun or dappled shade. Avoid disturbing their roots, and water consistently but don’t overdo it. With the right care and location, your daphne will reward you with a cloud of unforgettable scent each winter and spring.

Discover our handpicked selection of the most fragrant daphne plants, and let your garden be filled with the aromas that make these shrubs a gardener’s favourite.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.