| ISBN: | 0-88192-752-X |
| Price: | US$34.95, £25.00 |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Pages: | 224 pp. |
| Dimensions: | 7 x 9 in* (230 x 180 cm) |
| Illustrations: | 160 color photos, 2 line drawings |
| Copyright: | ©2006 Timber Press |
| Publication Date: | January 3, 2006 |
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Reviewed by Luurt Nieuwenhuis
Robin White is a professional propagator and grower of daphnes. In Daphnes: A practical Guide for Gardeners, he shares the depth of his thirty years of experience with these fragrant plants. His nursery business may be in England, but the climate is similar to the Pacific Northwest and his information is equally valid for us here.
Mr. White covers all of the daphne species, along with their major named clones and hybrids, which he feels are good performers. He even includes some plants that he admits will be of interest only to the serious daphnephile. Each entry includes cultivation information and the best means of propagating it. Every entry is well illustrated by one or more color photographs. This makes it easy for me, as a daphne newbie, to find some striking varieties to intersperse in the beds with the rhodies when all the information that I can find on the plant tag is the plant name.
The last third the book has excellent general information on the genus Daphne. The topic of seed growing includes methods for collecting and pretreating seeds for storage, for breaking dormancy in seeds (some have it, some don't), and for the growing-on of seedlings to mature plants.
The technique of grafting daphnes is clearly laid out. Part of it is selecting good scion material to graft onto the appropriate under-stock. The rest is technique; Mr. White describes clearly an easy-to-use method of grafting daphnes. Finally, he tells you how to provide follow-up care for the grafted combinations. If you ever had doubts about your ability to graft plants, Mr. White's discourse will dispel them.
Propagation by cuttings is likewise addressed in a thorough manner. Daphnes can be rooted from tip cuttings of both ripe and semi-ripe wood, root cuttings, and heel cuttings. The best methods for each described species and hybrid are outlined, along with after-care of rooted cuttings. Daphnes appear to be easier to root than rhodies, especially for someone who knows the technique.
A large chapter deals with cultivation and growth. The soil in which daphnes grow best is close to a neutral pH, possessing excellent drainage yet receiving enough water to not dry out during the summer. The cultural needs are closer to that of rock garden plants rather than rhododendrons, but growing both in the same garden can be done.
Finally, a section covers pests and diseases. Daphnes are hardy, not prone to many of these problems. But Mr. White points out the most common problems encountered and makes some recommendations on how to disperse, dispense with, or dispatch them.
Daphnes smell good. Many smell superb. Most are hardy in our climate. This useful book will make you want to look up the local chapter of the Hardy Plant Society or the North American Rock Garden Society to see if you can find some exotic daphnes. The book index even mentions one individual in Portland, Oregon, as a daphnephile!