Daphne x transatlantica 'Summer Ice'

Summer Ice Daphne

Family: Thymelaeaceae
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Width: 3 to 4 feet
Flower color: White flowers with a light pink blush
Foliage color: Variegated green leaves with creamy edges
Bloom time: Spring, with intermittent blooms throughout summer and fall
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
Growing zone: USDA Zones 6 to 9
Wildlife: Bees and butterflies, attracted to the sweetly scented flowers

About this plant

Daphne x transatlantica 'Summer Ice' is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub valued for its elegant variegated foliage and sweetly fragrant blooms. Its green leaves, edged with creamy white margins, provide year-round interest and serve as a beautiful backdrop to the clusters of pale pink to white flowers. These blooms are highly fragrant and appear in abundance from late spring through autumn, with occasional flowers emerging even during mild winter periods.

This hybrid cultivar, originating from a blend of European and Asian species, is celebrated for its hardiness and long-lasting floral display. Its compact form and attractive foliage make it an excellent choice for borders, foundation plantings, or containers. 'Summer Ice' brings both visual and sensory appeal to the garden, offering a consistent show of color and fragrance throughout much of the year.

Works well in

Sun Gardens · Fragrant Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Paths & Walkways

Companion plants

Juniper · Beautyberry · Larkspur · Pincushion flower · Wallflower · Grape hyacinth

Design tip

Creamy leaf margins give this daphne a crisp, bright appearance even between flowering periods. Against darker evergreen foliage, the variegation becomes more pronounced, while the long succession of pale fragrant flowers adds softness and keeps the combination changing from spring through fall.