Daphne × hendersonii ‘Ernest Houser’ is a choice, slow-growing evergreen shrub treasured among collectors for its refined habit and exquisite floral display. A hybrid of garden origin, it forms a compact, rounded plant with narrow, leathery, deep green leaves that are neatly arranged along short stems, creating a dense and orderly structure well suited to intimate garden settings.
According the Robin White book, this is a Harry Jans introduction from the Lake Garda area of Northern Italy. It’s known as a great repeat flowerer.
In early to mid-spring, the plant is adorned with clusters of soft pink, tubular flowers, often deeper in bud and paling as they open, releasing the rich, spicy-sweet fragrance for which daphnes are so highly prized. Though not showy at a distance, the blooms reward close inspection and are best sited where their perfume can be appreciated.
This selection thrives in sharply drained, humus-rich soils with consistent moisture but no winter wet, preferring a position in full sun to light shade. It is particularly well suited to rock gardens, raised beds, and troughs where drainage can be carefully controlled. Hardy to approximately USDA Zones 5–7, it benefits from protection from harsh winter winds and excessive summer heat.
Like many daphnes, it resents disturbance once established but offers years of quiet beauty when given a stable, well-chosen site. A plant of subtle charm and connoisseur appeal, ‘Ernest Houser’ is best appreciated up close, where its fragrance and fine detail can be fully enjoyed.
Daphne × hendersonii ‘Ernest Houser’ is a choice, slow-growing evergreen shrub treasured among collectors for its refined habit and exquisite floral display. A hybrid of garden origin, it forms a compact, rounded plant with narrow, leathery, deep green leaves that are neatly arranged along short stems, creating a dense and orderly structure well suited to intimate garden settings.
According the Robin White book, this is a Harry Jans introduction from the Lake Garda area of Northern Italy. It’s known as a great repeat flowerer.
In early to mid-spring, the plant is adorned with clusters of soft pink, tubular flowers, often deeper in bud and paling as they open, releasing the rich, spicy-sweet fragrance for which daphnes are so highly prized. Though not showy at a distance, the blooms reward close inspection and are best sited where their perfume can be appreciated.
This selection thrives in sharply drained, humus-rich soils with consistent moisture but no winter wet, preferring a position in full sun to light shade. It is particularly well suited to rock gardens, raised beds, and troughs where drainage can be carefully controlled. Hardy to approximately USDA Zones 5–7, it benefits from protection from harsh winter winds and excessive summer heat.
Like many daphnes, it resents disturbance once established but offers years of quiet beauty when given a stable, well-chosen site. A plant of subtle charm and connoisseur appeal, ‘Ernest Houser’ is best appreciated up close, where its fragrance and fine detail can be fully enjoyed.
