I have recently moved into a new home with an old Daphne plant by the front door. I love Daphne, but this plant is very scraggly and woody. Still blooms, but needs serious pruning. New growth and next year's blooms are at the very ends of the raggedy branches. I worry that if I prune back to a reasonable shape, I might kill the plant. What can you suggest? Thanks, Karen C
Since Daphne do well without pruning, I would access the growing conditions for this plant.
This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/winter-daphne/pruning-winter-daphne.htm
Pruning should be done after flowering, but only prune out 1/3 of the plant each season.
What is the best time of year to plant a daphne?
I have a Daphne Odora Aurcomarginata (name on label)in a large container. It is looking very sad, almost bare of leaves. I have had the plant for a couple of years and it has flowered and until recently was doing well. It has not responded to additional feeds etc., Any suggestions please? (I don't think it needs repotting as in quite a large pot). Thank you.
Daphne are not suitable for container growing.
It is recommended you plant out your Daphne.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/winter-daphne/daphne-plant-types.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/winter-daphne/daphne-not-blooming.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/winter-daphne/care-for-winter-daphne.htm
I purchased a Daphne Summer Ice today and was told they like shade, but after reading the information here I'm worried they misinformed me. This site says sun to partial shade and my area is full shade. Should I return it?
Your shrub will still grow. It just won't perform at its best. Partial shade can ,also, be something like filtered light through a tree canopy, or an area that only gets a few hours of sun a day. Just be mindful that these plants are deadly poisonous if they are simply chewed on. Here is a link for more information on your shrub: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/winter-daphne/daphne-plant-types.htm
I have an old daphne bush that all of a sudden looks wilted. I have tried water but has nothing has helped.
There is a possibility of fungal infection. Add wettable sulfur to the area, and take care not to overwater. Here is an article for for information on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/winter-daphne/daphne-plant-types.htm
Does the daphne need acid fertilizer.
Daphne grows best in soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.4; however, anything under 7 will be OK. Start with a soil test to determine present pH. There is too little modifier in acid-loving plant fertilizer to make a noticeable change in soil pH. If your pH is too high, use products made for lowering pH such as aluminum sulfate or a slow release sulphur product. It is very important to follow instructions or you risk damaging your plants.
15 years ago I brought 2 Daphne plants home from NC and planted under a pear tree; they loved their new home and thrived. This winter almost overnight they looked dead and I was heartbroken. I was away this last week and returned to find the white one (other is a pink) in bloom - about 1/3 of the plant. Upon looking closer and scraping away some bark I find green under the bark. Are they both dead or "as near"; can they be saved with pruning or are they just slowly dying. While we are selling the home, I would still love to be able to save these 2 plants for the next owner to enjoy them as much as we have these past 15 years.
The green under the bark shows that they are still alive, so the best option is to give them time. It's possible that they were cold-damaged during the winter. If you suspect this, wait until late spring or summer to see if any of the brown parts start growing and producing leaves again. You can then prune out any parts that appear to be completely dead- no leaves and no green color under the bark. Here is more about pruning Daphne:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/winter-daphne/pruning-winter-daphne.htm
If the plants continue to get worse instead of better as the weather gets warmer, it's possible that they have a disease. Here is some information about Daphne diseases
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=727#section-5