D is for Daphne

My daphne bush is a great source of joy to us each early spring, as it blooms prolifically in February. If you are not familiar with this wonder of the botanical world, get to a garden center or botanical garden immediately, as one of the most heavenly fragrances on earth comes from this little shrub with the tiny, star-shaped rose-violet flowers. It is more intense than most blossoms, and one flower can scent the whole house.

The weather the past few days has once again turned cold, with the temperature dropping over 20 degrees in three days between Monday and Thursday, and light snowfall the past two days, unusual at this elevation. The valiant little bush has not suffered a bit, continuing to slowly unfurl its fragrant buds.


I had trouble last night with software and getting just one photo, in the right place, of my wonderful plant, but here it is!

When the days are mild enough, we open the doors to allow the fragrance to waft through the rooms, in need of a winter airing. This plant has moved from pot to ever-larger pot as it has slowly grown over the past six years, allowing us to move it into the deep shade during summer's Mediterranean heat, and out to a visible place where we can commune with it while in bloom. There is very little else visible when Daphne shows her colors, however that does not detract from her special glory. She is modest in size, her tiny blossoms tucked up amonst the leathery green leaves, but the flowers exude a certain vibrancy that has been sorely missed throughout fall and deep winter. A true harbinger of spring!