It's over ten years now, since I was weeding in the garden and noticed a seedling that didn't look anything like a weed that I knew of. The leaves looked vaguely familiar and I had my suspicions about what it might be, but I didn't see how I could be correct.
Rather than removing the seedling I decided to let it grow, and as it did so I became more convinced that my original thoughts were accurate.
However it wasn't until 2009, when the seedling had become a small shrub, that the plant produced flowers.
The mystery shrub was in fact a daphne mezereum. So the next question was - how did the seedling arrived into our garden when as far as I know there are no daphnes growing nearby.
The only answer to this question was that we had been gifted it by a visiting bird. The bright red berries are attractive to birds.
Although all parts of the plant are toxic to us, birds are immune to the toxins. A bird must have eaten a berry and then deposited the seed in our garden.
The shrub is growing at the foot on an archway, in fact in a rather inconvenient position. Maybe I should have potted up the seedling or moved it further from the edge of the border but now it's too late for that.
Obviously our benefactor had been sitting on the arch when the seed was deposited. The photo on the top left of the collage is before the daphne was noticeable and in the other two photos you should be able to clearly see the shrub growing on the right of the arch at the base of the support.
Regular visitors may remember reading this tale in the past, but the reason that I am repeating it is because, last summer I thought the plant had died through lack of water.
Gradually all the leaves turned brown and curled up. The plant looked, to all intents and purposes, dead. However I was to be surprised as last month the plant seemed to be covered with buds and now the flowers are opening and new leaves are being produced.
It would seem that daphnes are pretty tough and this one definitely wasn't going to give up without a fight.
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What a great story. Daphne was one of the plants remembered from my childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area. Try as I might I can't get it to grow down here in the Los Angeles area. Lucky you. Does it have that wonderful fragrance that Daphne albomarginata does?
ReplyDeleteIt is fragrant, Jane but the wet conditions at the moment suppress the perfume.
DeleteHow lucky you are to have that Daphne planted in your garden, Sue. I've had one or two plants which I thought had died but they came back. They are quite amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe had the same happen with a fig, Margaret, It looked dead for over a year and then just as I'd given up on it, I spotted buds,
DeleteWhat a gorgeous plant and I sure wouldn't worry about where it grows. It obviously likes it there and wants to stay put. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteIt's more that it is in danger of blocking a pathway, Lisa but if it stays upright it should be OK
DeleteHurray for plant resilience! I always have a "wait and see" approach when it comes to plants that may be on their last legs - you just never know.
ReplyDeleteI do exactly the same, Margaret. It's paid off in the past.
DeleteThe early flowers are very pretty, and it's nice to see such a resilient plant.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty, Phuong and surprisingly resilient.
DeleteDaphne mezeureum is one of my very favourite shrubs.I think its scent is one of the most gorgeous in the garden. Unfortunately my soil is very sandy and it just does not grow for me. It will love your clay soil Sue.
ReplyDeleteIt is raised very readily from seed if you collect and sow the berries -even when they are green. They do need the Winter's cold and progress is very slow.(It might be best to remove the flesh from the berries but I never bother)
Progress was slow, Roger and I guess the bird removed the flesh and also fertilised it at the same time,
DeleteHi Sue, That is a truly gorgeous looking shrub but I'm unsure as to your wishes on whether or not it had died off naturally due to its current location.
ReplyDeleteThe allotment is looking great....I have cleared most of mine now but after looking at your pictures I'm wondering if it would be easier for me to put some payth in, dividing the big area...I think it may look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye this time of year and not seem so daunting to tackle...I have split the opposite side with slabs and it always seems to clear up quicker and is much more accessible...definitely something to think about.
I've been busy sorting, trimming and sowing too and I know that even last may I wasn't in the position I am in now...maybe this will be the year for me!!
Hello, stranger, I was happy that it hadn't died off Tanya in spite of its position. We like the smaller beds and pathways as it gives us focus points and as you say provides manageable areas to tackle. Also it means we don't compact the soil by constantly walking on it> Fingers crossed that this poor spell of weather lifts soon.
DeleteI think Dafne loves your garden Sue. And what an interesting research you have done while studying Daphne since 2009.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely seems to, Nadezda.
DeleteWhat a precious gift Sue. You must be delighted that your lovely daphne survived last summer's drought.
ReplyDeleteI am, Anna, I thought it was a gonna.
DeleteDelighted to hear she recovered! Such a lovely plant, expensive too, lucky you being gifted it.xxx
ReplyDeleteI consider it a payback for all the food we provide, Dina
DeleteThat is a very interesting beautiful plant! It's great that it blossomed and gave fruits!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
It’s lovely, Ela especially as it was free.
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