Plant Doctor Archive

Yellowing daphne

I HAVE trouble with daphnes. They look lovely and green in bud at the garden centres, but each time when I take one home they eventually go yellow and die. I've tried planting them in different areas, but still no luck.

DAPHNES are one of the most beautifully scented winter and spring-flowering shrubs, but unfortunately some people do find them difficult to grow.

They need well-drained soil and usually perform best in a cool, semi-shaded spot where the soil remains moist, even in summer. The other essential is that the soil must be slightly acidic. Yellowing of daphne leaves could be the result of root damage through poor drainage or drought but could also be iron deficiency brought on by lime in the soil. Don't plant them in soil that has had lime added or near a relatively new concrete drive or path, as lime from concrete can adversely affect them.

You can alleviate iron-deficiency symptoms by feeding with specific fertilisers for acid-loving plants or iron chelate, which is available in garden centres.

Or you could try growing one in a pot in a shady spot. Choose quite a large pot so there's plenty of mix to retain moisture in summer - and don't forget to water it regularly. Use a potting mix formulated for acid-loving plants.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.