October Daphne

October Daphne is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

October Daphne is recommended for the following landscape applications;

Mass Planting, Rock/Alpine Gardens, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting

October Daphne is covered in stunning pink star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from late summer to late fall. Its attractive succulent round leaves are silvery blue in color with distinctive rose edges. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous rose in the fall. The brick red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

October Daphne will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 8 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

October Daphne is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

Hardiness Zone: 3

Sunlight: Full Sun To Partial Shade

Height: 6 inches (8 inches with the flowers)

Spread: 12 inches

Photo Credits:  NetPS Plant Finder