Tangut daphne is a compact, ornamental, evergreen or semi-deciduous shrub that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and equally as wide. It has shiny, dark, green, leathery, lanceolate leaves with fragrant clusters of small, white to purplish tubular blooms from April to June. It is native to Western and Central China and is found along forest margins, rocky areas, and shrublands. The genus name Daphne is derived from the Ancient Greek word meaning "laurel." The specific epithet, tangutica, is derived from the name of an ancient tribe known as Tanguts, which lived in the region of modern-day Qinghai and Gansu, China. This shrub is a member of the daphne family ( Thymelaeaceae ). This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, organic-rich soil with acidic to neutral pH. It is hardy in zones 6 to 9, and it benefits from a sheltered location for added protection from wind and cold. It is best to avoid planting in areas of hot afternoon sun. Tangut daphne has attractive foliage, fragrant flowers that attract bees and butterflies in the spring, and clusters of red berries during the summer. It is resistant to rabbits and deer. Consider this ornamental shrub for a border, foundation planting, or in a small garden. It may also be used in outdoor plant containers Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Overwatering or poorly drained soils can cause root rot. It is susceptible to aphids and viruses. All parts of this plant are poisonous. Keep out of the reach of children or pets.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Mounding
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, alternate, shiny, leathery, lanceolate to oblanceolate, notched at the apex, dark, bright green on the upper surface, and pale and dull on the underside. The margins of the leaf sometimes tend to roll downward toward the underside of the leaf. Each leaf measures about 1 to 3 inches long and 1/4 to 3/4 inches wide.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Fragrant flowers are in dense, terminal 3-inch clusters. Each flower is about 0.5 inches wide, tubular with 4 ovate lobes. Each bloom is white, tinged with a purple interior. Two of the lobes are more deeply colored with a reddish-purple exterior. Flowers from April to June.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is an oval, bright red drupe, and measures 1/3 inch wide. Fruits appear from May to July.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
The young stems are grayish-brown with pale gray bristles, but then become smooth.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
West to Central China
Distribution
Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, Qinghai, and Tibet
Wildlife value
Bright red drupe attracts birds. Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Woodland
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Specimen
Garden tags
#problem for dogs #bear friendly #container plant #partial sun #problem for children #cottage garden #evergreen shrub #slow growing #butterfly friendly #dense growth #problem for cats #white flowers #acidic soils tolerant #foundation planting #rock garden #border planting #low maintenance #pollinator garden #poisonous if ingested #spring flowers #red berries #woodland garden #purple flowers
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.