Danae racemosa

Poet's laurel has an open habit with slender branches that arch up and away from the center of the crown to a height of 4 feet and width of 4 feet.  It can resemble a clump of bamboo and spreads like one through its rhizomes. 

It prefers moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter though it tolerates the elusive dry shade.  It tolerates clay and sand as long as there is adequate moisture.   Once it is established it is fairly drought tolerant.  There can be some damage during cold winters but it does not seem to affect the underground buds from producing leaves the next year.  It is fairly difficult to propagate both by seed and division of older plants so it may be challenging to find it in the nurseries.

The glossy green foliage is long-lasting so ideal for flower arrangements.  But its real stunning beauty comes in late fall and winter with its beautiful display of bright orange-red round berries.   Gracefully arching branches make it a lovely specimen for spilling over a wall or walkway or tucked in a rock garden.  It also works well planted at a stream or pond edge as the branches will lightly dip into the water.  They also do well in the deep shade of the under canopy of rhododendrons or mountain laurels in a woodland garden.

Quick ID Hints:

• Shiny, bright green stems, 'petioles' and 'leaves'
• Cladophylls are alternate, lanceolate, 'parallel-veined'
• Small evergreen shrub with red-orange berries
• Minute, hair-like leaves at base of cladophylls

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   No serious problems.  Its lush foliage discolors in full sun so keep it in partial to full shade. 

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.