Daphne x burkwoodii 'Briggs Moonlight' has proven to be as fussy as it is beautiful in my garden. This is my third attempt to grow this shrub in my garden and this time I unceremoniously dumped it into a hole in the root filled compacted soil of a bed with no amendments. Wouldn't you know, this is the longest that one of these has lived in my garden.
I did this during the heat of summer because that's when I found it at a produce store sitting in full sun, its leaves beginning to scorch. Wouldn't you know, this is the longest one of these has lived for me.
There are even some buds being set for the fragrant spring show.
Although the flowers are very nice, it's for the foliage that this shrub is especially prized.
It absolutely glows in the shady spots in which it prefers to grow.
Val Easton wrote in the Seattle Times, "If any of you have successfully grown the seriously variegated and nearly irresistible (meaning I can only resist it now after I've killed it several times) Daphne x burkwoodii 'Briggs Moonlight,' please send instructions."
I'm pleased as punch that this one seems like it will live. Of course, daphnes are notorious for growing beautifully for years and then suddenly dying so I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch!
For more about this gorgeous plant check out Plant Lust and Rainy Side Gardens.
Beautiful variegation and nice slender leaves too, reminding me of some variegated Euphorbias as well.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it does resemble some variegated Euphorbias but the leaves of this seem so thin that they glow in a way that the Euphorbias don't.
DeleteThat's lovely, bold and dainty all at once. It was lucky you rescued it and gave it a proper place.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's living to show gratitude for the rescue. I wonder how the other six of them that I saw there fared.
DeleteThis Daphne x burkwoodii 'Briggs Moonlight' is realy fantastic . I have now to find one!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful plant and worth finding!
DeleteI had a chance to buy one of these cheap a couple of years ago but at that time didn't like it. I've come around, it's a beauty and I hope yours will continue to be happy!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting how our plant tastes change over time? Glad you're a convert to this one!
DeleteI considered growing a Daphne of some kind, I hear they have such a wonderful scent. But their alleged fussiness and the fact that they sometimes just up and die for no reason has deterred me. Yours is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThey can also live for a long time and take all kinds of adversity. I'd give it a try as there are so many wonderful and fragrant daphnes!
DeleteI've was tempted to grow Daphne odora a couple of times: their scent is divine, but otherwise they are so frustrating (they didn't make it). Your burkwoodii is lovely: a ray of light in an otherwise gray day. If it continue to perform well you ought to write Valerie Easton and tell her your secret: tough love!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your Daphne odoras dying! I had one for about 7 years that died but have replaced it with a couple in different locations and they're still alive. Crazy but wonderful plants! Even the Daphne laureolas that pop up all over the place will sometimes flourish for many years and other times simply die for no reason.
DeleteHow absolutely stunning. I have never seen this one before. Clearly it is worth any effort to keep it alive. I wonder why Daphnes suffer from sudden inexplicable death. A bit like chickens.
ReplyDeleteI hope this one will continue to flourish.
The sudden death is a mystery to me! I share your hope for this one!
DeleteMaybe the abuse Daphne received at the produce store toughened her up - or maybe she just realized she got a good home. I hope she continues to do well for you. This is another of the plants I'd like to have but haven't been able to make happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping she'll be happy as I'd love to see her brightening that spot for years to come!
DeleteI had severe plant lust for one of these and bought one, since I love variegated leaves, but as you say it is very hard to keep alive, and I lost it the first winter. I'm not brave enough to try again but I'm glad to hear you got one to live. Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if it lives through the winter but so far, it has the record for longevity in my garden!
DeleteWe do love our divas...but to find one that thrives on abuse? That's priceless.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful plant, I really hope it survives this coming winter for you!
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