Burke's Whitlow Grass Plant Care
Draba burkei (C.L.Hitchc.) Windham & Beilstein
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Draba burkei is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by the common names snowbasin draba and Burke's draba. It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it is known from Box Elder, Cache, Morgan, and Weber Counties.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Plant Burke's Whitlow Grass in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Burke's Whitlow Grass Native To?
What Is the Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Burke's Whitlow Grass (Draba burkei) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Draba genus. Burke's Whitlow Grass is native to Utah in the United States.
Burke's Whitlow Grass displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Burke's Whitlow Grass produces small white or yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Water a young or newly planted Burke's Whitlow Grass every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Burke's Whitlow Grass Need?
Burke's Whitlow Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Burke's Whitlow Grass Prefer?
Draba burkei tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Burke's Whitlow Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Burke's Whitlow Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Feed Burke's Whitlow Grass every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Burke's Whitlow Grass is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Burke's Whitlow Grass can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Prune Burke's Whitlow Grass while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Burke's Whitlow Grass in Winter?
Burke's Whitlow Grass is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Burke's Whitlow Grass can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to magellan draba plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Burke's Whitlow Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Burke's Whitlow Grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Burke's Whitlow Grass?
Burke's Whitlow Grass is susceptible to aphids, flea beetles, cabbage worms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Burke's Whitlow Grass Need?
Burke's Whitlow Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Burke's Whitlow Grass is native to Utah in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Burke's Whitlow Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Burke's Whitlow Grass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Draba genus — compare its care with other Draba species on PlantoScan.
Draba is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Burke's Whitlow Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Draba Species
Other Draba species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Draba burkei (C.L.Hitchc.) Windham & Beilstein, family Brassicaceae (first published in Madroño 50: 221 (2003 publ. 2004)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Burke's Whitlow Grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
