Pest identification
What's eating my daphne x burkwoodii 'carol mackie'?
Aphids
Signs: New shoot tips curl; leaves distort; sticky honeydew builds up and may introduce sooty mold or mosaic virus.
Control: Blast off with water; follow with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Monitor weekly throughout spring flush.
Scale insects
Signs: Tan or brown barnacle-like bumps on stems; gradual yellowing and branch dieback.
Control: Apply horticultural oil in late winter; remove manually with a soft brush. Ensure good air circulation to deter recolonization.
Deer
Signs: Fragrant foliage and soft shoots browsed, leaving ragged stem ends, particularly in autumn and winter.
Control: Apply deer repellent spray regularly; use physical barriers or wire cages on young specimens.
Keep daphne x burkwoodii 'carol mackie' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' pests — FAQ
What is eating my daphne x burkwoodii 'carol mackie'?
Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' is bothered mainly by aphids clustering on tender new growth in spring, and occasionally scale on mature stems. Deer can browse its fragrant foliage. Prompt aphid control is especially important as aphids vector daphne mosaic virus, which can rapidly decline an otherwise healthy plant.
How do I get rid of aphids on daphne x burkwoodii 'carol mackie'?
New shoot tips curl; leaves distort; sticky honeydew builds up and may introduce sooty mold or mosaic virus. Blast off with water; follow with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Monitor weekly throughout spring flush.
How do I get rid of scale insects on daphne x burkwoodii 'carol mackie'?
Tan or brown barnacle-like bumps on stems; gradual yellowing and branch dieback. Apply horticultural oil in late winter; remove manually with a soft brush. Ensure good air circulation to deter recolonization.
How do I get rid of deer on daphne x burkwoodii 'carol mackie'?
Fragrant foliage and soft shoots browsed, leaving ragged stem ends, particularly in autumn and winter. Apply deer repellent spray regularly; use physical barriers or wire cages on young specimens.