Plant of the month for December.

Daphne bhoula ‘Jacqueline Postill’.

This is the last nominee for out Plant Personality of the Year awards 2017. All 12 “Plants of the month” qualify for the competition with the top 3 being selected in mid December, follow #PPOtY2017 on our social media for the latest news and results.

The straight species, Daphne bhoula, comes from the Himalayas. Several forms have been introduced since 1938 one being ‘Gurkha’ a very hardy form collected in Nepal in 1962. From this form a seedling was raised by Hillier nurseries propagator, Alan Postill, in 1982 which he named ‘Jacqueline Postill’.

The resulting plant is stunning in all aspects. Evergreen, in Cornwall, but can be semi-evergreen elsewhere. It flowers are purplish-pink to white and heavily scented. On an early, still morning at this time of year you can be almost over powered by the richly scented air that surrounds the plant. One plant can fill your garden with its lovely fragrance. Unlike some varieties Daphne bhoula ‘Jacqueline Postill’ is easy and fairly quick to grow, with no real problems to deal with.
A must for the winter garden. Plant of the month for December could easily be for January and February as well because it will bloom during those months as well.