Daphne x transatlantica

scented plants are double the bonus i think!

Me too! I am always disappointed with the daffodils and tulips that are not scented. I can't think of many plants that can compete with daphnes when it comes to fragrant flowers. The bonus with daphnes is that most of them flower all summer.

I think we have one but it doesn't do at all well. ?

Some daphnes are harder to grow than others. I've always had trouble with Daphne cneorum and 'Brigg's Moonlight'. The hybrids are usually easier to grow and do better. The one in this picture has been growing great for 3-4 years now. I've found these daphnes generally don't give me much trouble: Daphne tangutica, Daphne x napolitana, Daphne x burkwoodii (especially 'Somerset'), Daphne 'Lawrence Crocker' and if your area is warm enough Daphne odora 'Aureo-marginata'. Most of them can live 10-20 years without much of a problem as long as they have plenty of sun and good drainage. If you have a lot of clay then it will probably be hard to grow daphnes without making a raised bed.

Thanks Rk, we don't have much sun at all but the soil is slightly acidic and definitely free draining. I don't know the name of the one we have, I will try to find the label. It was pink and the flowers almost grow in a line along the stalk, it was a present to OH, not the same flower type as yours.

Some people swear daphnes like it acidic and others say alkaline. A lot of daphnes do well in half-sun and some will grow fine with just morning sun. It sounds like your daphne is Daphne genkwa or possibly Daphne mezereum? I don't know of many people here who have had luck with Daphne genkwa and I hear mixed opinions on D. mezereum. I've never tried either one but they are quite a bit different than the other Spring-Summer blooming species.

The Daphne mezereum rings a bell, it's possibly that and mine is certainly different from the type in your photos.

It probably is, does it bloom in late winter/early Spring? I think Daphne genkwa has flowers that are closer to a purple or lilac color and I don't think they're fragrant either. I think Daphne mezereum is more of a woodland plant and a lot of those plants like richer soil. Those types of plants never do that well for me unless I amend the soil or feed them a few times a season.

I think when it did flower it was early spring, I dont think the flowers were fragrant. We do have a woodland garden with woods behind us, the soil is quite good, slightly acidic and grows things like pierris and camellias quite happily