Blue Daphne Daphne genkwa
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- DAF-nee GEN-kwah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Daphne genkwa is native to East Asia, China and Korea. Its native habitat includes the margins of paddy fields, hillsides and valleys. This plant will have optimum performance when grown in a location that experiences hot summers and somewhat mild winters. The flower buds develop in the fall on the current year's growth. In areas that have very cold winters, the buds may not survive through winter temperatures, which in turn leads to the absence of flowers the following year.
Once planted, it is best to not attempt to relocate this plant. It does not like its roots disturbed. Full maturity is reached at about 5 years of age.
It flowers on bare stems, prior to it gray-green foliage opening.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: All parts of this plant are poisonous.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Daphne
- Species:
- genkwa
- Family:
- Thymelaeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China to Temp. Eastern Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Attractive to pollinators. Bees, flies, butterflies and moths are pollinators of this plant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Lilac flowers appear in groups of clusters, with 2-7 blooms per cluster. The slightly fragrant flowers can be lilac, rose-purple, or white. They will open in the late winter to early spring before the leaves form.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- 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. 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. The upper side of the foliage is a dull green with a paler green on the underside.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The thin stems are sparsely branched.
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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
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Short-lived
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Unknown, but possibly as in D. mezereum.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unknown, suspected to be a diterpenoid (mezerein)
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
