Daphne wolongensis Brickell & Mathew (2007)

this new Daphne species grows in Baoxing Valley, Wolong (2500 m) near a Panda research station in the province Sichuan of China / plants reach about 1,5 m high / semi evergreen / scented sometimes / hardy with a bit protection / plants prefer a drained humus rich soil on half shadowed places / fruits red /

Daphne wolongensis is similar to Daphne tangutica and Daphne retusa, but the flowers are of a thinner consistency and more fascicled within the axillary inflorescence /

several named and unnamed selections are existing differing in habit, flower size and flower colour, the selections ‘Miya Lou’, ‘Guardsman’, and ‘Kevock Star’ are best known

The first hybrid with Daphne wolongensis is Daphne x ‘Rotkäppchen’

Note:

Seedlings of Daphne wolongensis are often variable with the result of new named varieties within a short time.

I guess that this new species is a result of a more or less stabilized natural hybridization as we know it from the European Daphne x hendersonii, Daphne x rossetii, or Daphne x reichsteinii.

The most Daphnes grow in China and we know natural hybrids only from the Alps?!

Daphne wolongensis 'Miya Lou', flowers close up, 'Wolong Seidelbast'

Daphne wolongensis 'Kevock Star', 'Wolong Seidelbast'

Daphne wolongensis, fruits, 'Wolong Seidelbast'

Daphne wolongensis, rich flowering, 'Wolong Seidelbast'

Daphne wolongensis, blossoms close-up, 'Wolong Seidelbast'

Above left:

Daphne wolongensis 'Miya Lou', flowers close up

Above right:

Daphne wolongensis 'Kevock Star'

Left and below right:

Daphne wolongensis, rich flowering

Below left:

Daphne wolongensis, fruits

Below right:

Daphne wolongensis, blossoms close-up