The Best Time to Transplant Daphne

Identification

• Daphne is a genus that comprises several species, including the much-loved winter Daphne (Daphne odora), which is less winter hardy than most Daphne species and grows well in USDA zones 7 through 9. Daphne shrubs are usually evergreen, although in the coldest end of their ranges, they may be semi-evergreen and lose some of their leaves. They bloom pink to pinkish-white and are heavily fragrant.

Transplant Time

• There is no good time to transplant Daphne. This delicate and temperamental plant can die for inexplicable reasons. After it is planted, it doesn’t like to move. It is slow to establish, so even if it does survive the transplant -- which is not certain -- you may set it back considerably. Adding to transplanting concerns is the fact that cutting back often harms the plant, so if it fares poorly in its new site, you are unlikely to be able to rejuvenate it.

Planting Considerations

• Because transplanting is ill-advised, try to find the right spot for Daphne at planting time. Daphne grows best in a location where it is sheltered from harsh winter winds and in partial shade. These plants like medium amounts of moisture and have picky roots that don’t take kindly to sogginess or dryness. They prefer acidic to slightly alkaline soils and don’t do well in alkaline growing conditions.

Alternatives to Transplanting

• If you are worried that you may not like the location you plant Daphne, you can grow it in a container instead. This provides mobility, and you can move the plant indoors over the winter if you live in an area outside its hardiness range. If your Daphne isn’t doing well and you’d like to start a new plant, root cuttings in the semi-hardwood stage using the current year’s growth when wood is firm and leaves are mature, often in summer.

Pruning

• If you want to transplant Daphne because it has grown too large, consider pruning instead. Though Daphne doesn’t require much pruning, you can prune it every year after its flowers fade to keep it an attractive shape. Deadhead flowers and tip prune the plant to maintain the desired form, but be cautious; if you take off too much at once, you risk damaging the plant beyond repair. If you cut the plant back hard, you will not rejuvenate it; you will likely kill it.