In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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January 3, 2008

Stunning foliage; fragrant winter flowers

I’ll know instantly when the Daphne is in bloom, even though it isn’t near the path to the front door: Suddenly the air will be filled with a sweet, heady fragrance.

My favorite Daphne is D. aureomarginata. Its name means the leaves are edged in gold. It’s one of the few plants in the garden that I never need to prune. The plant makes a perfect mound that slowly gets larger until it reaches about five feet across and three or so feet high. It’s planted in a shady spot with hellebore, libertia and a flowering maple called ‘Victorian Lady.’

Daphne is a stunning shrub all year long, but really comes into its own come January when the weather turns frosty. At a time when most plants are leafless and dormant, Daphne bursts into bloom. Actually Daphne is one of many winter blooming shrubs, and many of them are fragrant.

So, every few days I take a short detour on the way to the front door to pass by the Daphne. I’ve watched patiently as the slim, pink buds form. They’re slowly getting bigger, and I’m sure any day they’ll open.

And, of course, I’ll know without looking.

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