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Key characteristics

Family: Thymelaeaceae
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Width: 3 to 4 feet
Flower color: Pale pink to white and fragrant
Foliage color: Green with creamy white margins
Bloom time: Late spring with sporadic rebloom in summer
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; avoid heavy pruning as it resents disturbance
Growing zone: USDA Zones 4 to 7
Wildlife: Butterflies and pollinators

Shrubs

Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'

Carol Mackie Daphne

Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' is a semi-evergreen shrub cherished for its variegated foliage and sweetly fragrant blooms. Its slender, lance-shaped leaves are edged in creamy white, creating a soft, luminous effect throughout the growing season. In late spring, clusters of pale pink flowers emerge, filling the air with a delightful fragrance and providing a delicate contrast against the variegated foliage. The blooms may sporadically reappear in summer, extending the season of interest.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring with sporadic rebloom in summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Fragrant Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Paths & Walkways

Companion plants

Sweet box · Bleeding heart · Pieris · Foam flower · Lungwort · Ajuga

Design tip

Creamy white leaf margins give this daphne a softly illuminated appearance that lasts well beyond its spring bloom. Position it where the foliage can contrast with deeper greens, allowing the variegation to define its rounded form while the fragrant flowers provide a seasonal highlight.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)