Daphne odora, winter daphne, is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to China, later spread to Japan and Korea. It is an evergreen shrub, grown for its very fragrant, fleshy, pale-pink, tubular flowers, each with four spreading lobes, and for its glossy foliage. It rarely fruits, producing red berries after flowering.
The Latin specific epithet odora means "fragrant".[1] In Korea, the plant is also poetically called "chullihyang" – a thousand-mile scent – referring to the delightful fragrance of the flowers. In Japan, the plant is more commonly known as "jinchōge".
It grows best in fertile, slightly acid, peaty, well-drained soils. It grows in full sun or partial shade, and is hardy to -10C, possibly lower.
Plants are not long lived, usually lasting eight to ten years.[2] Daphne generally do not react well to root disturbance, and may transplant badly. D. odora is also susceptible to virus infection, which causes leaf mottling.[3]
All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and to a range of domestic animals.[4] Some people experience dermatitis from contact with the sap.[5]
Daphne odora may be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.