Question: Since 2016, what daphne is the best one to plant? (Hint: think royalty…) The answer is the Daphne Perfume Princess^™ which was released that year.  And proof that she reigns supreme comes from the fact that she’s now been around long enough to prove that every compliment paid to Her Highness is based on fact. If you have Daphne Perfume Princess growing in your garden you’ll be nodding your head as you read through these absolute truths: she grows into a nice evergreen bushy shaped shrub; she’s easy to grow, thrives with no care and is a robustly healthy plant; she produces lots of flowers over a good stretch of time, and they are big; they’re also super fragrant with a citrus overtone that’s extra special. To push the point even further, she’s won these awards: 2018 Best New Ornamental Plant Variety, Horticulture Week, UK; 2018 Gold Medal, Florall Award, Belgium; 2016 Plant of the Year, Australian Nursery and Garden Industry Association. So there you have it. She’s the best. Fact. And here’s one more fact… a white Daphne Perfume Princess has been bred to join her pink flushed sister.

Maybe you didn’t know about Daphne Perfume Princess until now. You’ll probably be interested to have her pointed out to you when you’re next down at the garden centre (believe it, she’ll be there). And then you’ll think – I want this daphne because I know I can grow it, and I’ve always wanted to grow one but the old ones were too fussy and not very pretty (if we’re honest). So here are a few ideas if you need inspiration on the where…

IN A CONTAINER: this is a great move if you don’t have much room or you tend to move house a bit. Daphne Perfume Princess will grow happily in a pot out on a balcony, on a patio, or beside the front door. Outdoors is the go – full sun through to part shade – you can always bring her in for the day to spice up the house. Pick a pot that’s generous and use potting mix to avoid waterlogging. Throw in a few spring bulbs and you’ll end up with a visual treat. Simple.

A LUXE HEDGE: if you’re about to plant a hedge, or what they call a foundation planting around the base of your home, think about using Daphne Perfume Princess. The way this wonderful daphne grows means you’d have a nice bushy green line of plants even when she’s not in flower. And when Daphne Perfume Princess is in flower, that fragrant bliss is yours!

BY THE BENCH: do you have a garden seat? Somewhere to stop for a break mid morning? If it’s well positioned it catches the sun in winter and enjoys dappled shade from a deciduous tree in summer. And from mid winter to late spring it needs to be enveloped by the scent of daphne. One plant will do it, tucked in nearby. Easy.