Daphne genkwa
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Daphne fortunei
- Daphne genkwa f. taitoensis
- Daphne genkwa var. fortunei
- Wikstroemia genkwa
- Phonetic Spelling
- DAF-nee GEN-kwah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Lilac daphne is an erect, mounding, ornamental, broadleaf deciduous shrub that grows up to 3 to 5 feet tall, equally as wide, and is native to Central and Southern China. It is found in the margins of paddy fields, hillsides, and valleys. This sparsely branched shrub has clusters of lilac, reddish-purple, or white tubular flowers in the spring, followed by dull green, lanceolate to ovate leaves. Small white to reddish fruits may appear, but are sometimes absent in cultivation. The genus name, Daphne, is derived from the Ancient Greek word meaning "laurel." The specific epithet, genkwa, is the Japanese pronunciation of its Chinese name. The lilac daphne is a member of the daphne family (Thymelaeaceae).
This plant performs best when grown in a location that experiences hot summers and somewhat mild winters. It thrives in full sun with afternoon shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained loam, sandy, or clay soils with an acidic to neutral pH. Once planted, it is best not to attempt to relocate this plant. It does not like its roots disturbed. Full maturity is reached at about 5 years of age. It is drought-tolerant once established and deer-resistant. Reportedly, the lilac daphne is difficult to propagate.
The flower buds develop in the fall on the current year's growth. In areas with very cold winters, the buds may not survive through the winter temperatures, which in turn leads to the absence of flowers the following year. It flowers on bare stems before its gray-green foliage opens.
Consider the lilac daphne as a specimen or in groups in a cottage garden, woodland garden, or near a deck or patio settings. Be aware that all parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. Keep this shrub out of the reach of pets or children.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Daphnes are susceptible to root and crown rot, leaf spots, and viruses. Potential insect pests include aphids, mealybugs, and scale. This shrub is short-lived in cultivation. All parts of this plant are poisonous.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Daphne
- Species:
- genkwa
- Family:
- Thymelaeaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Parts of this plant have been used as a pesticide. The dried flower buds are used for medicinal purposes in China.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and South China to Temperate Eastern Asia
- Distribution:
- Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan
- Wildlife Value:
- Attractive to pollinators. Bees, flies, butterflies and moths are pollinators of this plant.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are small and white to reddish and appear from June to July. Frequently, they are not seen in cultivated shrubs. The fruit is black when dried.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowering occurs in the spring from March to May before the leaves open. The flowers appear in clusters of 2 to 7 blooms. Each bloom is tubular and is almost 0.5 inches long. The slightly fragrant flowers can be lilac, rose-purple, or white.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are simple and mostly opposite leaves, however, some are alternate. The leaf is green on the upper surface, and paler green beneath, lanceolate to ovate. Silky hairs can be found on both sides of the leaves when they first appear. Gradually they will become obsolete, only remaining along the veins on the underside. Each leaf measures 1 to 2.5 inches long and 0.5 to 1 inches wide.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are thin, and the shrub is sparsely branched. The stems may be yellowish-green to purplish-brown.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Heat
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Short-lived
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans if ingested. Symptoms include ulceration of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, drooling, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, arrhythmias, delirium, seizures, coma, and death. Ingesting 10 to 12 berries can be fatal. Contact with this shrub can cause severe skin irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- daphnetoxin and mezerein
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
