Eternal Fragrance Pink Summer Daphne – Daphne X Transatlantica ‘BLAFRA’ – 3 Gallon Pot

The bloom period may not be “eternal,” however, as Daphne go, ‘Eternal Fragrance’ is a “summer flowering” variety that features intensely fragrant blush-pink to white flowers over a very long period beginning in mid to late spring and continuing through summer and well into fall. When nights are warm the flowers will open white from pink buds. Cooler nighttime temperatures produce blush-pink to pink flowers. The specimens in our gardens have formed dense mounds to about 2.5 to 3 feet tall over the years. The semi-glossy, dark green leaves are more narrow than its winter daphne cousins providing a distinctly different texture in the landscape. With an amazingly long bloom time for up to six months, Eternal Fragrance is one of if not the best hybrid Daphne cultivars available. A superstar of a flowering shrub! 

Growing in a dense, rounded mound 2 to 3 feet tall and equally as wide, Eternal Fragrance Daphne is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as a natural evergreen hedge in shady to partially shaded landscape borders and home foundation plantings. Excellent evergreen shrub for use under the canopies of large shade trees, though supplemental irrigation will need to be provided during prolonged periods of dry weather. Plant it near windows, patios, decks, porches and other outdoor living spaces where the wonderful fragrance can be enjoyed. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white theme gardens, Asian gardens, woodland gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  2 feet apart for solid hedges;  5 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note:  For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a, where this hybrid Daphne variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring. That said, it’s not the easiest plant to grow in containers, much preferring growing in the ground. But hey, with tender loving care it can be done! For those in Zone 9 we suggest to provide mostly shade for their Daphne. Early to mid-morning sun will be tolerated. Late morning and afternoon shade is a must.   

Despite the remarkable variety of gardening myths about its requirements, Daphne is very hardy and easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot. Though we see a lot of websites saying this hybrid species (Daphne x transatlantica) will tolerate full sun we’re not sure about that. Perhaps in cooler zones (5a through 6b) they will tolerate full sun? In our Georgia gardens Daphne prefers some shade. Early to mid-morning sun is okay but we avoid sites that receive direct late morning and afternoon sun. 

Daphne transatlantica grows best in rich, sandy-humusy, well-drained but moist soil with a neutral pH (6.5-7.5 pH). Good soil drainage is essential as they do not like constantly soggy soils, which can cause root rot. In heavy clay soil that doesn’t drain well it’s a good idea to plant in raised mound to ensure proper drainage. Daphne are drought tolerant when established however this spring, summer and fall bloomer prefers a consistently moist soil during the bloom season. Dry soil may reduce summer bloom. 

CAUTION: Make sure to pick the right spot for planting because once established Daphne do not like their roots to be disturbed. Daphne are often slow to establish and are best left undisturbed once planted.