Re: Daphne odora aureomarginata
I first admired large bushes of Daphne odora blooming in midwinter in
Tokyo, where it is mild enough for people to grow oranges in home
gardens, although commercial crops of citrus are grown further south.
I planted D. o. aureomarginata here because it is said to be hardier
than the green-leaved type. I lost it in one bad winter, but I
planted a new one against the housewall beside the sidewalk to the
front door and it has survived for many years. It doesn't bloom in
midwinter, but it scents the whole area in spring.
In the Random House book Shrubs, by Phillips and Rix, it is listed as
being hardy to -10 celsius. (14 F) Any shrub so listed does well most
winters in my zone 8 garden, but will get killed during a freak
winter when even native trees are damaged. Shrubs they list as hardy
to -15 C (5 F) are never killed.
Diane Whitehead, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
zone 8 cool mediterranean climate
