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 December
1999
 Ruellia
'Black Beauty'
 November
1999
Daphne
arbuscula
October
1999
Tulipa
schrenkii
September
1999
Machaeranthera
colorodoensis
August
1999
Veronica
spicata nana
July
1999
Campanula
garganica
June
1999
Saponaria
X Olivana
May
1999
Phlox
bifida
April
1999
Aethionema
oppositifolium
March
1999
Cyclamen
coum
February
1999
Moneses
uniflora
January
1999
Eritrichum
nanum
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1998
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1997
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Plant
of the Month
November
1999
Daphne
arbuscula
by Iza Goroff
Daphne
arbuscula is a member of the Thymelaeaceae family. It
is a native of a very small region, the Carpathian Mountains
of Slovakia, where it is restricted to rocky, mostly
limestone, habitats on the mountain tops.
Most of the
plants in cultivation are of the illustrated clone. This has
flowers about 1/2" (1 cm) in diameter, lavender pink and
fragrant. It flowers in mid spring. The leaves are about
2/5" (1 cm) long and 3 mm wide, a shiny deep green all
twelve months. This is a very slow growing plant; The
illustrated plant was 3" (7cm) wide and 1" (3cm) tall when
planted. It grew to 3" (8cm) tall and 16" (40 cm) across in
15 years. Other clones with flowers varying in color from
white to deep rose may become available in the near
future.
Daphne
arbuscula is propagated by softwood cuttings. The
single clone does not readily produce seed. Perhaps hand
pollination or a second clone is required.
The flowers
are a bonus on this wonderful foliage plant, a low mound of
shiny green foliage year round. This is the best daphne for
cold climates, possibly the best shrub of all for the cold
alpine garden.
Once
established this is a very hardy and permanent plant,
requiring only a well drained somewhat gritty soil and sun.
The illustrated plant has never had a winter burnt leaf,
despite temperatures of -31 F (-35 C).
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