Daphne odora Alba

Common Name:
White Winter Daphne

Description:
Daphne odora 'Alba' is a refined evergreen shrub prized for its highly fragrant pure white flowers that appear from winter into early spring. The blooms emerge from soft pink buds and open to creamy-white star-shaped flowers clustered along the stems, releasing an intense sweet perfume that carries throughout the garden. Its glossy green foliage provides year-round structure and contrast, making it an excellent choice for courtyards, shaded garden beds, pathways, and decorative pots where the fragrance can be fully appreciated. Well-suited to Melbourne’s climate, 'Alba' performs best in a sheltered position with morning sun or part shade and well-drained soil. It prefers protection from harsh afternoon sun and excessive moisture around the roots. Elegant and compact, this variety is particularly valued for winter interest and scented garden planting schemes.

Form:
Shrub - Small

Mature Size:
Height: 1–1.5 m
Width: 1–1.5 m

Aspect:
Part Shade
Full Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Winter
Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:
White
Creamy white
Soft pink buds

Key Attributes:
Bee Attracting
Evergreen
Perennial
Scented flowers
Suitable for Pots

Toxicity:
Highly toxic if ingested by humans, dogs, and cats. All parts of the plant, especially the berries and sap, can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation and other serious symptoms. Sap may also irritate skin.

Companion Plants:
Camellias
Hellebores
Azaleas
Pieris
Japanese Forest Grass
Cyclamen
Clivia
Ferns