Burkwood daphne
Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'
Burkwood daphne (Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–4 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers partial shade. Very particular about drainage and protected siting, fails in heavy clay or exposed locations. Daphnes are also famously short-lived (5–8 years) and can die suddenly without obvious cause. Worth the effort where conditions suit.
On the CSU listmedium water3–4 ft tall and 3–5 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Carol Mackie'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 3–4 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~5 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
- Bloom color
- pink, white
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is Burkwood daphne good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Burkwood daphne is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Burkwood daphne get?
- It matures to about 3–4 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Burkwood daphne?
- Space Burkwood daphne about 5 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Burkwood daphne hardy on the Front Range?
- Burkwood daphne is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Burkwood daphne need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Burkwood daphne grow?
- Burkwood daphne is a slow-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Burkwood daphne native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Burkwood daphne deer-resistant?
- Burkwood daphne is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Burkwood daphne a good firewise plant near the house?
- Burkwood daphne is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Burkwood daphne bloom?
- Burkwood daphne blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
