About
A large, evergreen shrub to about 6m high and wide with dark green, glossy, rhododendron-like leaves that tend to droop in winter, revealing the bright red leaf stalks. Pollinated female plants produce heavily-bloomed black berries in autumn. Red male and green female petal-less flowers are borne on separate plants in late spring. Young spring foliage is pale green, often flushed pink.
About the genus
Daphniphyllum are evergreen trees and shrubs with handsome, rhododendron-like, foliage in whorls at the ends of shoots. Inconspicuous male and female flowers grow on separate plants, and the fruit are fleshy and rounded
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toJapan, Korea, China
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade, protected from cold, drying winds
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by seed, or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free