Daphne Shrub Zones

USDA Zones 4 to 9

• One of the most dauntless daphnes for colder zones is the hybrid Burkwood Daphne (Daphne x burkwoodii), perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 9. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with pink flowers in spring and can sometimes stage an encore performance in fall. Its cultivars include “Carol Mackie” with gold-edged green leaves and “Briggs Moonlight,” which reverses the effect with green-edged yellow leaves. Another pink-flowered contender for the same zones is garland flower (Daphne cneorum). At 6 to 16 inches, it keeps a low enough profile to serve as a container plant or groundcover, and blooms in late spring. Choose the cultivar “Eximia” for bigger blooms or “Ruby Glow” for redder ones.

USDA Zones 5 to 9

• Daphnes appropriate for USDA zones 5 to 9 include deciduous types such as lilac daphne (Daphne genkwa), mezereon (Daphne mezereum) and another hybrid, Daphne x transatlantica. Lilac daphne, which can reach 4 feet, decorates bare branches with its blooms in early spring. Be warned, however, that it is one of the few daphnes with absolutely no scent. Mezereon, which usually tops off at 5 feet, also makes its mauve or white flowers before its foliage, so early that young plants sometimes tire and drop all their leaves by midsummer. Daphne x transatlantica grows to 4 feet and is slower to get going, but can churn out white flowers off and on from late spring through most of the summer. Its cultivars include the variegated “Beulah Cross” and “Summer Ice.”

USDA Zones 6 to 9

• For something different in USDA zones 6 to 9, try the evergreen spurge laurel (Daphne laureola). Shooting up to 5 feet, this spurious spurge makes unusual green flowers from late winter to early spring. Some people find its odor acrid and this daphne may not be persnickety enough, as it is considered invasive in some areas. On the plus side, it is one of the easiest of the genus to grow -- even in full shade. If your space is limited and more sunny, try the also evergreen "Lawrence Crocker" daphne instead. A dwarf that only reaches a foot in height, it will be marvelous in mauve in spring, and may continue to bloom less heavily into fall.

USDA Zones 7 to 9

• The delectably fragrant winter daphne (Daphne odora), which can reach 4 feet in height, is also one of the most cold-sensitive and temperamental species. Although it generally- won't thrive outdoors below USDA zone 7, gardeners can’t resist trying it, since it blooms pinkish white against glossy evergreen foliage from late autumn into spring. “Aureomarginata” and “Mae-jima” are two of its most splashy variegated cultivars. For a taller winter-bloomer in the warmer climates, consider the paper daphne (Dahne bhoula) from the Himalayas, which can tower to at least 12 feet with pink flowers. Choose its cultivar "Jacqueline Postill," if you prefer an evergreen shrub or "Gurkha" if you decide on deciduous.