Daphne

My Daphne has lost most of its leaves but is flowering. I don't believe they like being cut back but that's what I feel like doing to it, but I'm afraid it might make things worse.
What should I do ?

 

I am not an expert on Daphne but I am pretty sure you are correct in that they do not like being pruned. I also have a feeling they do not do well in pots either. I am presuming yours is an evergreen variety. I think the leaves should be a lot greener than yours are in the photo.My suggestion would be to try and get the plant out of the pot and plant it in your garden. You could maybe try a little light prune but nothing major. Give it good drainage and a feed of blood fish and bone or similar.
One thing I know for certain is that Daphne do not like to be moved so lots of care getting it out of the pot if you decide to go down that route.
I had 2 large Daphne, an evergreen with pink flowers and a deciduous one with white flowers. Both gave off the most heavenly scent. I had to move them because of some building work that needed doing. I spent about 2 days carefully digging them out and replanting. Lost both despite my very best efforts. I was very sad and extremely annoyed too loosing both.

 

Thank you, I shall plant it in the ground and give it a feed.
I'm sorry you lost your two, they seem very fussy plants.

 

We had Daphne odora for many many years in the ground until 3 years when it had had enough. Leaves falling off and little flowering and then dead. We decided that the fragrance is so brilliant in the winter that we wanted another one but we went with Daphne bholua jacqueline postill. This is upright and is labelled as semi evergreen depending on the locality. The flowers this year have been great and only now finishing but the leaves have stayed on through the winter. A good replacement. I wonder if yours is a bholua? As said they really don't like being in pots.

 

Thank you @On the Levels
I don't know which Daphne it is because the label is lost, but it could possibly be bholua.
I'm going to plant it in the ground when I get a chance, but if it dies I will replace it with one I know to be bholua. Thanks for your advice

 

I used to have a large Daphne mezereum ; survived for many years then gave up the ghost for no apparent reason .
Research states they're not known for their longevity

 

Thank you. I won't disturb the roots then, just tip it out of the pot and straight into a prepared hole in the ground. My soil is deep so it should be fine.