Searching for a shrub that is wonderful to bring some pizzazz to your landscape? Carol Mackie daphne has the”fantastic four” elements of planting design: shape, foliage, blossoms and fragrance. And its trim size works well in tiny gardens, in which plant selection has to be particularly fine-tuned. What’s not to enjoy?
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Botanical name: Daphne x burkwoodii‘Carol Mackie’
Common title: Carol Mackie daphne
USDA hardiness zones: 4a to 8 (find your zone)
Elevation range: Up to 7,000 feet
Water necessity: Moderate
moderate requirement: Full sun to partial shade and filtered color
Mature size: 3 to 4 ft tall and 4 to 5 ft broad
advantages and tolerances: Compact, rounded form; semievergreen, variegated foliage; quite fragrant flowers; tolerates cold and alkaline soil
When to plant: Spring
Seasonal curiosity: Variegated foliage is quite persistent into winter; clusters of fragrant flowers bloom in early spring and may rebloom in late summer or autumn.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Distinguishing attributes. Dense branching generates a compact, rounded form that’s coated in rich green, narrow leaves with cream-colored margins. The foliage is semievergreen to evergreen. In early to mid spring that the shrub is blanketed with clusters of small flowers that are white when available and then fade to pink. The blossom fragrance is wonderful — sweet and strong.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
How to use it. This shrub is a standout at a semishaded garden as an accent plant, an informal hedge or a foundation plant. Plant it near paths, patios, decks or entrances — anywhere that you can enjoy the heavenly fragrance.
Carol Mackie daphne’s straightforward foliage form and geometric shape call out for company plants with strongly contrasting characteristics. Look at using perennial geraniums, coral bells (Heuchera spp), columbine (Aquilegia spp) and bergenia, and woody plants like oak leaf hydrangea, contorted filbert (Corylusavellana‘Contorta’) and’Sunset Glow’ bamboo (Fargesia rufa).
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Planting notes. Carol Mackie daphne can be slow to build. It is critical to give decent drainage; loose, sandy-loam soil is ideal. Consider elevated beds or berms when placing it in heavy clay. Protect this tree from extreme midday sun, particularly at higher elevations, and winter winds. Mulch the soil or underplant using a ground cover to keep the root zone moist and cool.
