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winter daphne

Winter daphne is a treasured evergreen shrub prized across New Zealand gardens for its intoxicating fragrance, attractive glossy leaves, and clusters of pink to white blooms during the cooler months. Renowned for brightening shaded positions and offering year-round beauty, winter daphne (Daphne odora) delivers a burst of colour and scent just when gardens need it most. In this guide, discover tips for growing winter daphne, the best varieties for New Zealand conditions, and how to enjoy its famous perfume in your own outdoor space.

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Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'

5 from 1 customers

Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn' is a beautiful deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant soft pink flowers that appear from late autumn through winter. This reliable variety performs exceptionally well in New Zealand gardens, bringing colour and scent when few other plants are in bloom.

From $37.19

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred' is a premium evergreen perennial valued for its elegant winter and early spring flowers and attractive year round foliage. It is an outstanding choice for shaded borders, woodland gardens, cottage gardens, and decorative containers, bringing reliable colour to New Zealand gardens when little else is flowering.

From $22.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
Erica Ice Green flowers.
Erica 'Ice Green' (Winter Heather)

Erica 'Ice Green' is a compact evergreen heath valued for its fresh green foliage and masses of delicate flowers that brighten the garden through the...

From$27.53
daphne-odora-leucanthe-
Daphne odora 'Leucanthe' (Winter Daphne Leucanthe)

Daphne odora 'Leucanthe' is a beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its intensely fragrant pure white flowers that appear from winter into spring. The...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne odora green foliage and pink flowers.
Daphne odora (Winter Daphne)

Daphne odora (Fragrant Daphne) is a highly prized evergreen shrub known for its intensely fragrant pink and white flowers that appear in winter and...

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Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' plant with variegated leaves and pink flowers.
Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' (Daphne japonica Striata)

Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' is a beautiful evergreen shrub treasured for its intensely fragrant pink and white flowers and glossy green leaves...

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Daphne odora 'Rubra' flowers and foliage.
Daphne odora 'Rubra' (Red Winter Daphne)

Daphne odora 'Rubra' is a highly prized evergreen shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant deep pink flowers that open from richly coloured buds...

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Daphne 'Perfume Princess' pink flowers and green foliage.
Daphne 'Perfume Princess'

Daphne 'Perfume Princess' is an outstanding evergreen shrub celebrated for its masses of exceptionally fragrant white flowers with soft pink buds...

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daphne-odora-alba-
Daphne odora alba (Winter Daphne Alba)

Daphne odora alba is a highly prized evergreen shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant pure white flowers that brighten the garden from winter into...

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Daphne odora 'Marginata' plant with variegated foliage.
Daphne odora 'Marginata' (Variegated Fragrant Daphne)

Daphne odora 'Marginata' is an elegant evergreen shrub prized for its richly fragrant flowers and attractive green leaves edged with creamy yellow...

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Daphne gnidium plant with green leaves, white flowers, and orange berries.
Daphne gnidium (Flax-Leaved Daphne)

Daphne gnidium is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its fine foliage, masses of fragrant white flowers, and colourful berries that provide...

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Daphne transatlantica 'Eternal Fragrance' pink flowers and green foliage.
Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance'

Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its beautifully scented flowers and tidy rounded habit. It produces clusters of...

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Daphne odora 'Cameo' pink flowers with green foliage.
Daphne odora 'Cameo'

Daphne odora 'Cameo' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant pink flowers and attractive variegated foliage. Flowering from...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne mezereum stem with pink flowers and green leaves.
Daphne mezereum

Daphne mezereum is a highly fragrant deciduous shrub admired for its clusters of pink to purple flowers that appear on bare stems in late winter and...

OUT OF STOCK
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Daphne 'Perfume Princess White'

Daphne 'Perfume Princess White' is an elegant evergreen shrub prized for its beautifully fragrant white flowers and tidy, compact habit. The blooms...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne-transatlantica pink flowers against green leaves.
Daphne transatlantica

Daphne transatlantica produces masses of highly fragrant, pink flowers through mid-winter and spring. It typically grows to 90 cm tall and the same...

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Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' plant with green leaves and pink flowers.
Daphne 'Jacqueline Postill'

Daphne 'Jacqueline Postill' is a highly sought after evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant pink flowers that appear from winter into...

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Daphne genkwa purple flowers.
Daphne genkwa

Daphne genkwa (Blue Daphne) is a deciduous shrub admired for its masses of fragrant lavender blue flowers that appear on bare stems during late...

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Daphne bholua plant with pink flowers.
Daphne bholua (Nepalese Paper Plant)

Daphne bholua is a highly prized evergreen shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant clusters of pink to white flowers that appear from winter into...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne 'Carol Mackie' plant with variegated leaves and pink flowers.
Daphne 'Carol Mackie'

Daphne 'Carol Mackie' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its highly fragrant pink flowers and beautifully variegated green and cream foliage...

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Daphne 'Briggs Moonlight' plant with variegated leaves and pink flowers.
Daphne 'Briggs Moonlight'

Daphne 'Briggs Moonlight' is an elegant evergreen shrub prized for its highly fragrant flowers and striking variegated foliage. The green leaves...

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Azalea 'Daphne' white flower.
Azalea 'Daphne'

Azalea 'Daphne' is a beautiful evergreen azalea prized for its masses of colourful blooms and compact tidy growth habit. Flowering heavily through...

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Azalea 'Daphne Salmon' flower.
Azalea 'Daphne Salmon'

Azalea 'Daphne Salmon' is a beautiful evergreen azalea admired for its soft salmon pink flowers and compact rounded growth habit. Flowering...

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Daphne cneorum plant with rose-pink flowers in a garden.
Daphne cneorum (Rose Daphne)

Daphne cneorum (Rose Daphne) is a beautiful low growing evergreen shrub admired for its fragrant rosy pink flowers that appear in abundance during...

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Daphne arbuscula growing on a rock with pink flowers and green foliage.
Daphne arbuscula

Daphne arbuscula (Rose Daphne) is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its neat form, glossy foliage, and beautifully fragrant pink flowers. Its low...

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Leptospermum scoparium Winter Cheer plant with double, dark red-pink flowers.
Leptospermum scoparium 'Winter Cheer'

Leptospermum scoparium 'Winter Cheer' is a colourful manuka shrub valued for its masses of soft pink flowers and fine evergreen foliage. This hardy...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne caucasica white flowers and green foliage.
Daphne caucasica

Daphne caucasica is an elegant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy green foliage and beautifully fragrant white flowers. The blooms appear over a...

OUT OF STOCK
Erica Winter Charm plant with masses of pink flowers.
Erica 'Winter Charm'

Erica 'Winter Charm' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of colourful flowers that brighten New Zealand gardens through winter and...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne cneorum variegata plant with pink flowers.
Daphne cneorum Variegata

Daphne cneorum variegata is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its beautifully variegated foliage and strongly fragrant pink flowers. The green...

OUT OF STOCK
Buxus 'Winter Gem' shrub with elegant, green foliage.
Buxus 'Winter Gem'

Buxus 'Winter Gem' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its dense foliage, tidy growth habit, and excellent year round colour. This hardy box...

OUT OF STOCK
acacia-winter-flame-
Acacia 'Winter flame'

Acacia 'Winter Flame' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its vibrant golden flowers through winter and its fine textured foliage that provides...

OUT OF STOCK
Helleborus Ice Queen plants with green flowers.
Helleborus 'Ice Queen' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'Ice Queen' is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its beautiful blooms that brighten the garden from late winter into spring. Its...

OUT OF STOCK
Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Daphne, Erica, and Helleborus, or related Categories - Perennials, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search winter daphne

Why Choose Winter Daphne for Your Garden

Few plants deliver as much winter impact as winter daphne. Its highly scented blooms appear from late winter into early spring, filling the air with a sweet, citrusy aroma. Winter daphne thrives in partial shade and cooler spots sheltered from harsh afternoon sun, making it perfect for borders, entrances, and patio pots. With glossy leaves and tidy growth, winter daphne adds structure and lushness to shady garden areas.

Winter daphne is well-suited to New Zealand’s temperate climate, handling frosty conditions if well sited. Its compact habit fits easily into small gardens or larger, mixed shrub beds. With minimal pruning and regular mulch, it repays gardeners with years of reliable flowering.

Popular Varieties of Winter Daphne

Several outstanding varieties of winter daphne are available, each offering unique attributes. For those seeking classic beauty, Daphne Leucanthe (Winter Daphne Leucanthe) is a popular choice, known for its strong fragrance and rosy-pink buds that open to pale flowers.

If you appreciate distinctive foliage, Daphne odora Aureomarginata (Daphne japonica Striata) features striking green leaves edged in gold, adding year-round interest well beyond the flowering season. Gardeners loving pure white blooms will enjoy Daphne odora alba (Winter Daphne Alba), while Daphne odora Cameo (Winter Daphne) provides a unique blend of cream and pink tones.

Those drawn to rich colour should consider Daphne odora Rubra (Red Winter Daphne), celebrated for its vibrant reddish-pink flowers. Each variety offers the same signature perfume and easy-care nature.

How to Plant and Care for Winter Daphne

For best results, plant winter daphne in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. Select a position with morning sun or dappled shade, and protect the roots from hot afternoon rays. Avoid disturbing the root ball when planting, as daphnes prefer to settle undisturbed. In pots, use a premium quality potting mix to ensure adequate drainage.

Winter daphne responds well to regular mulching with leaf mould or bark fines and a gentle feed of balanced fertiliser in early spring. Water young plants during dry spells but avoid waterlogged soil, which can cause root problems.

Daphne varieties rarely require pruning; simply trim lightly after flowering if shaping is needed. Regularly top up mulch to keep roots cool and promote longevity.

Enjoying Winter Daphne in Your Landscape

Whether planted by a pathway, near an entrance, or in a sheltered courtyard, winter daphne’s powerful fragrance and tidy form are sure to deliver winter joy. Combine multiple varieties for a succession of blooms and year-round foliage colour. Explore our range of daphne varieties and transform your garden with the charm and elegance of winter daphne.

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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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
The spotlight often lands on Ficus benjamina and Corokia 'Geenty's Green', but Pandorea rosea superba, Helleborus 'White Hybrid' (Hellebore), and Pseudopanax 'Cyril Watson' deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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