Tangut Daphne Daphne tangutica
ABOUT
Daphne tangutica, commonly known as the Retusa Daphne, is a visually appealing, deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub. Its branches form a dense, bushy habit, creating clusters of foliage. The leaves are glossy, dark green, and leathery, typically oval in shape and they may boast a slight blue-green tinge underneath, which adds to the plant's charm throughout the year. In terms of its flowering aspects, the Retusa Daphne produces highly fragrant blooms that can fill an entire garden with a pleasant aroma. The flowers are small and star-shaped, with a lovely pink or purplish color palette that contrasts beautifully against the greenery. They are typically clustered in groupings along the stems, blooming profusely and creating a very attractive display. Following the flowering season, the Retusa Daphne can also produce attractive, spherical fruits. These berries start out green but mature to a bright red or black, providing visual interest in the garden and attracting birds and wildlife. The changing colors of the berries through the seasons offer an extended period of ornamental value. Overall, the Retusa Daphne is known for its wonderful fragrance and striking blooms, as well as its attractive foliage and fruit, making it a favored choice for garden enthusiasts looking to add multi-seasonal interest to their landscape.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Tangut Daphne, Retusa Daphne, Balloon Plant.
Common names
Daphne tangutica Retz.
ToxicityTo humans
Daphne tangutica, commonly known as Tangut daphne, is highly toxic to humans. All parts of this plant contain toxins, especially daphnetoxin and mezerein. Ingesting any part of the Tangut daphne can cause severe symptoms, including a burning sensation in the mouth, throat constriction, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion may lead to more serious systemic effects such as convulsions, paralysis, and can be fatal if a significant amount is consumed. Contact with the sap can also cause skin irritation, blisters, and eye irritation upon touch. It is critical to seek medical attention immediately if any part of the plant is ingested or if the sap comes in contact with skin or eyes.
To pets
Tangut daphne is also highly toxic to pets. Ingestion of any part of the plant can cause severe symptoms similar to those in humans. These include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and seizures. Due to the presence of highly toxic compounds such as daphnetoxin and mezerein, even small amounts can result in significant poisoning. Contact with the sap can cause topical irritation, and if the toxins are ingested, they can lead to systemic effects and potentially fatal consequences. Urgent veterinary care is required if a pet is suspected of ingesting any part of the Tangut daphne.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet 0.91 meters
Spread
3 feet 0.91 meters
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Daphne tangutica, commonly known as Retusa Daphne, adds ornamental value to gardens with its attractive foliage, pink flowers, and red berries.
- Fragrance: The plant is well-known for its sweet, pleasant fragrance, making it a popular choice for sensory gardens.
- Wildlife Habitat: It provides food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including birds and beneficial insects.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Retusa Daphne requires relatively little care, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Borders and Hedges: Its compact growth habit allows it to be used effectively in borders and as low hedges in landscape designs.
- Erosion Control: Its root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes.
- Seasonal Interest: Daphne tangutica offers year-round interest through its evergreen leaves, seasonal blooms, and berries.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Daphne tangutica can be used as a natural dye source, providing colors for textiles and crafts due to the pigments present in its bark and berries.
- The wood of the Daphne tangutica plant is sometimes utilized in small-scale carving projects as it is fine-grained and can be polished to a high shine.
- Gardeners may cultivate Daphne tangutica for its ornamental value, as its flowers and berries can add aesthetic appeal to mixed borders and shrubbery.
- This plant can be used in fragrance production because the flowers emit a pleasant scent, which can be extracted for perfumes or scented products.
- In landscape design, Daphne tangutica can be an effective erosion control plant due to its root system that can help stabilize soil on slopes.
- Bird enthusiasts often use the plant to attract and provide natural food sources for various bird species since its berries are a food source for them.
- The Daphne tangutica can be integrated into educational programs about native plants and biodiversity, as it serves as an example of flora native to specific regions.
- The plant is sometimes used as a living fence or hedge in garden settings due to its dense growth habit which provides privacy and wind protection.
- It is used in cultural and religious ceremonies in some regions, where its flowers may symbolize purity or be used as offerings.
- For special occasions, like weddings or festivals, the branches and flowers of Daphne tangutica might be fashioned into decorative wreaths or garlands.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiDaphne is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityDaphne is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: Daphne tangutica, often simply called 'Daphne,' is associated with protection due to the toxic nature of its sap, which can repel pests and animals.
- Purity: Its pristine white flowers are symbolic of purity and innocence.
- Love: In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo's advances, making the plant a symbol of unrequited love.
- Eloquence: The association with Apollo, the god of poetry, gives Daphne a connection to eloquence and fine speaking.
WaterRettenbach Daphne should be watered thoroughly, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which may translate to watering approximately once a week, depending on environmental conditions. In hotter periods, water may be needed more frequently. Generally, aim to provide about 1-2 gallons of water every two weeks, adjusting as necessary for temperature and rainfall.
LightRettenbach Daphne thrives in partial shade, though it can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. The ideal spot offers morning sunlight and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight throughout the day to protect its foliage from intense midday rays.
TemperatureRettenbach Daphne prefers a temperate climate with a temperature range between 60°F and 75°F being ideal for thriving. It can withstand brief periods of cooler weather down to about 50°F and hotter temperatures up to 80°F. Continuously extreme temperatures outside of this range can be detrimental to the plant's health.
PruningRettenbach Daphne benefits from light pruning to shape the plant and remove any damaged or dead branches, enhancing its appearance and promoting healthy growth. Pruning should be done after blooming, typically in late spring or early summer. Avoid heavy pruning as this can damage the plant; just trim back sparingly as needed.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMay blooming Daphne requires well-draining soil with organic matter, a pH of 7.0 to 7.5 is ideal for optimal growth.
RepottingMay blooming Daphne doesn't enjoy being disturbed and should be repotted only every 3-4 years unless absolutely necessary.
Humidity & MistingMay blooming Daphne prefers moderate humidity but can tolerate a range as long as the soil moisture is well-maintained.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place May blooming Daphne near bright window; avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Plant May blooming Daphne in partial sun with shelter from wind.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cycleDaphne tangutica, also known as Tangut Daphne, begins its life cycle as a seed that requires a period of cold stratification to germinate. After stratification, seeds germinate in spring, producing small seedlings that establish a root system and a basal rosette of leaves. Growth continues and the plant develops into a shrub with upright stems, leathery evergreen leaves, and a mature root system. Tangut Daphne flowers in late spring to early summer, displaying fragrant, pink, and white blooms that attract pollinators for sexual reproduction. Following pollination, the flowers give way to red fleshy berries which contain seeds that can be dispersed by birds and other animals, ensuring the spread and continuation of the species. Throughout its life, typically several years, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy, adapting to environmental conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Daphne tangutica, commonly known as Tangut daphne, is often propagated through semi-ripe cuttings during the summer months. To employ this method, cut a healthy, non-flowering stem of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in length from the parent plant. The cut should be made just below a leaf node, and the lower leaves should be removed. The cutting's base can then be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. It should be planted in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that at least two or three nodes are buried in the soil. The pot should be placed in a warm environment with indirect light and covered with a plastic bag or placed into a propagator to maintain high humidity around the cutting. The soil should be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged, until the cutting has rooted, which may take several weeks. Once rooted, the new Tangut daphne plant can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions and eventually planted out into the garden.
