Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Daphne odora ‘Aueromarginata’
Variegated Winter Daphne

- Family
- Thymelaeaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 feet
- Width
- 3 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- Small, pale pink to white flowers
- Foliage color
- Glossy, dark green leaves with golden-yellow margins
- Bloom time
- Late winter to early spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun
- Water
- Regular
- Maintenance
- Low; protect from harsh winter winds
- Growing zone
- 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies
About this plant
Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' produces intensely fragrant clusters of purplish-pink flowers, opening nearly white within, from late winter into early spring and providing valuable nectar for early pollinators. Glossy, leathery dark green leaves are narrowly edged in creamy yellow, creating elegant variegated foliage that remains attractive throughout the year. The dense, rounded branching and luminous leaf margins provide color and texture even during the winter months.
Native to China and long cultivated in Japan, this variegated selection is prized for its exceptional fragrance and handsome evergreen foliage. It is especially effective near entrances, pathways, patios, and other frequently traveled areas where its perfume can be appreciated. It also works beautifully in woodland gardens, mixed shrub borders, foundation plantings, courtyard gardens, and as a specimen, providing year-round structure and welcome winter color.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Fragrant Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Paths & Walkways
Companion plants
Pieris · Japanese forest grass · Brunnera · Viburnum · Trillium · Lungwort
Design tip
Golden-edged leaves give this daphne a luminous quality even before its intensely fragrant flowers open. Dark green companions can emphasize the variegation, while a sheltered location near a doorway or patio makes its late-winter fragrance an especially memorable part of the garden.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
