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Daphne

crystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3Lcrystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3L Posts: 21
in Plants
Just a quick one here chaps (and chappesses of course)...just ordered couple of Daphne's...(no not Fraziers Mancunian friend) .
Believe it or not half google say need ericaceous soil, other half say neutral/slightly alkaline.
Proving unquestionably that the old adage is true...opinions are like...well er a certain part of the human anatomy....everybody's got one.
Don't want to get this wrong so definitive answer please?
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Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 14,590
    The species I know prefer a neutral / slightly alkaline soil.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126
    I have a D. Tangutica planted in my slightly acidic clay-based soil - it thrives - to such an extent I have to regularly cut it back.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,637
    In Wales I grew many Daphne sp and cultivars.
    They thrived.
    There I was on acid soil.
    These are the pics from that garden in alphabetical order.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/11713966@N02/albums/72157677277218654

    Now in Scotland with a tiny garden I just grow 4 smaller ones.
    All fine ...again acid soil.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,349
    Here they get alkaline. Flourishing tanguutica, mezereum and laureola. Lost odora


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • crystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3Lcrystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3L Posts: 21
    Ma y thanks lads...trouble is I'm no further forward as 3 of you say acid, and 2 alkaline.
    I''ve asked the supplier the same question..still awaiting reply.
    If I can remember the 2 specific species I've ordered might help?...though my (admittedly limited) experience) suggests mosy plants of the same genus behave similarly.
    Species are perfume princess and eternal fragrance ( I like smelly plants, viz my roses.) Does this help at all?

  • FireFire Posts: 18,015
    edited 18 November
    Probably they are pretty easy going. What soil do you have?


  • crystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3Lcrystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3L Posts: 21
    That's a very nice interpretation Fire, and I like it...trouble is nobody else has suggested it.
    But you're  right mate, failiing any more positive evidence,  I propose to put my 'neutral' soil improver (organic) . Also read online clay soils sort of ape acid soil.
    My favoured plants are (apart from my new love affair with roses) are rhodedendrons and my new azaleas.  Wanted camellias too but told too fragile for uk climate.
  • FireFire Posts: 18,015
    Camelias are fine in the UK. They like a slightly acid soil but do fine in my neutral soil.
  • crystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3Lcrystalpalacebadger5k6aYUF3L Posts: 21
    I like you fire...keep telling me things I want to hear...trouble is I hear they don't like our winters.Given up on containers as too much trouble. Nice companion to my rhodedendrons,  azaleas if possible...acid stuff seems to suit best, though leave my roses neutral. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,861
    My parents grew camellias in East Anglia and there’s lots around here.  They need plenty of water in the summer … avoid planting them where they get morning sun so that frosted buds don’t thaw too quickly, and they’re fine in neutral to acid soil. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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