Daphne kiusiana, commonly known as Japanese Daphne, is an evergreen shrub native to the forest understories and mountainous regions of East Asia, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of China. It typically grows to a height of 1.6-6.6 feet tall and is characterized by its dark purplish-red or brown branches. The shrub’s natural habitat includes moist, shaded areas at altitudes of 984-1,312 feet, where it contributes to the understory vegetation in mixed forests.

Japanese Daphne is valued for its fragrant, tubular flowers that bloom in shades of pink to white, appearing in late spring to early summer. The flowers are quite showy and are followed by red berries that can add interest to the garden. In cultivation, it is often used for border planting, as a specimen plant, or in woodland gardens. It requires well-drained, humus-rich soil and thrives in part shade to full shade conditions. While it is relatively low maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered and may suffer from virus and fungal diseases. Japanese Daphne is not typically invasive but should be handled with care as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0