we recently purchased a home with an established/ gorgeous Daphne, I believe a 'Carol Mackie' variety. It is rather large and I was wondering if I can divide it and how I might do this? The plant is approx 18' h X 36'w X30'd. Should I divide it? It is near a sycamore that tends to 'shed' branches ;) that have spread the Daphne even more. It has had a large branch fall on it during the winter that put a small split in one of the main trunks, but has done no apparent damage. Any help is valued, thank you , Teresa
Not an expert here but I have read that daphne do not like to be moved let alone split up. I have had a daphne cneorum 'Ruby' for about 20 years. It grows about 10 to 12 inches high and is about 18 to 20 inches wide. One year after surviving the winter under eight feet of snow it was completely flattened and split at the crown. I poured a mound of sand over the split crown hoping it would root. It did grow and recover and has been blooming away for the past 10 years. Never dared disturb it to see if it made new roots, though. I had a Daphne mezerum (February daphne) that survived all sorts of disasters, falling branches, construction damage for years but when I fianally moved it when we put in the front steps it died. Not sure if it was not from old age or being moved. If it's happy where it is, why not leave it and buy another one to experiment with elsewhere.
thank you johnnyjumpup! I will leave my beauty alone, you are a voice of reason. I wouldn't want to jeopardize the beautiful Daphne I have flourishing. thank you for the input.
