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Daphne Mezereum Wikimedia Commons
Thymelaeaceae

Daphne Mezereum

Daphne mezereum

Immortality and desire.

Family
Thymelaeaceae
Genus
Daphne
Native to
Europe, Western Asia
Bloom season
Late Winter, Early Spring
Type
Deciduous shrub
Height
1-1.5 meters
Sunlight
Partial shade
Soil
Moist, well-drained, humus-rich
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
4-8
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Daphne mezereum flowers appear on bare wood before the leaves, creating a dramatic late-winter display.
  • All parts of the plant are highly toxic; just a few bright red berries can be fatal to children.
  • The name Daphne comes from Greek mythology, where the nymph Daphne was turned into a laurel tree.
  • The intensely fragrant flowers can perfume an entire garden on mild late-winter days.
  • Medieval herbalists used the bark as a blister-inducing plaster despite its extreme toxicity.

Color meanings

0

Immortality

1

Desire

2

Glory

Uses

  • Ornamental
  • Woodland garden
  • Winter garden
  • Fragrance garden