Summer Ice Daphne – 5 Gallon Pot

A superstar of a flowering shrub with an extraordinarily long bloom time from April to November, and in our opinion one of the best and easiest to grow of the summer-flowering Daphne, Summer Ice features intensely fragrant clusters of star-shaped, champagne white flowers with an apple blossom pink flush. The shrub forms a dense mound of grey-green leaves that are delicately edged with a thin line of ivory-white all the way around. The leaves are evergreen in Zones 8 and 9 and semi-deciduous to deciduous in zones 6 and 7.

Growing in a dense, rounded mound 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, Summer Ice Daphne is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as a natural evergreen hedge in shady to partially shaded landscape borders and home foundation plantings. Excellent shrub for use under the canopies of large shade trees, though supplemental irrigation will need to be provided during prolonged periods of dry weather. Plant it near windows, patios, decks, porches and other outdoor living spaces where the wonderful fragrance can be enjoyed. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white or pink theme gardens, Asian gardens, woodland gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  2.5 to 3.5 feet apart for solid hedges;  7 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note:  For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this hybrid Daphne variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring. That said, it’s not the easiest plant to grow in containers, much preferring growing in the ground. But hey, with tender loving care it can be done! For those in Zone 9 we suggest to provide mostly shade for this Daphne. Early to mid-morning sun will be tolerated. Late morning and afternoon shade is a must.  

Despite the remarkable variety of gardening myths about its requirements, Daphne is very hardy and easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot. Though we see a lot of websites saying this hybrid species (Daphne x transatlantica) will tolerate full sun we’re not sure about that? Perhaps in cooler zones (5a to 6b) they will tolerate full sun? In our Georgia gardens Daphne prefers some shade. Early to mid-morning sun is okay but we avoid sites that receive direct late morning and afternoon sun. 

Daphne transatlantica grows best in rich, sandy-humusy, well-drained but moist soil with a neutral pH (6.5-7.5 pH). Good soil drainage is essential as they do not like constantly soggy soils, which can cause root rot. In heavy clay soil that doesn’t drain well it’s a good idea to plant in raised mound to ensure proper drainage. Daphne are moderately drought tolerant when established however this spring, summer and fall bloomer prefers a consistently moist soil during the bloom season. Dry soil may reduce summer bloom. 

CAUTION:  Make sure to pick the right spot for planting because Daphne are best left undisturbed once established.