Daphne collina Sm.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Though the present species of Mezereon has till within these few years been a stranger to our gardens, and escaped the enumeration even of Linnaeus, it was well known to many of the older Botanists; indeed it was impossible that a plant so common as this is in some parts of Italy, could escape the observations of the many excellent Botanists, which that country has produced, or been visited by.  Though not so ornamental a shrub as many, it is a very desirable acquisition, on account of the earliness of its flowering and agreeable scent. […] Mr. Graeffer was the first who introduced this novelty, by sending seeds of it to Messrs. Lewis and Mackie, Nursermen, Kingsland, who, as far as we can learn, first had the shrub for sale; it is usual to treat it as a greenhouse plant; in mild winters it will bear to stand abroad; it flowers from January to April, is not difficult of culture, and is usually propagated by grafting it on the common Mezereon, or Spurge Laurel.’  [BM t.428/1798]. 

‘It endures our milder winters very well, especially if sheltered among other shrubs.  It is a beautiful evergreen, and often produces its fine frangrant blossoms from the beginning of the year till the months of April and May.  [LBC no.1348/1829]. Daphne collina var. neopolitana is figured in the Botanical Register.  [BR f.22/1824].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1843, 1845 and 1850 catalogues.  Received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831.  [ML A2948].

Notes

Daphne collina d’Urv. ex Meisn. (1856) = Daphne oleoides d’Urv., syn. Daphne gnidioides Szov. ex Meisn.

Daphne sericea Vahl. is sometimes regarded as a very similar but separate species.