Sweet box
by Diane - October 23rd, 2013.Filed under: Crocus.
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Purple Stem’ (sweet box) £12.99
Position: partial to deep shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well- drained soil Rate of growth: slow-growing to average Flowering period: December to March Flower colour: creamy-white Other features: the flowers are followed by spherical, black or blue-black berries Hardiness: fully hardy A suckering, evergreen shrub that gradually forms a dense thicket. The new shoots are flushed with an attractive dark purple-pink hue which gradually fades as the stems mature. The stems are clothed with slender, tapering, dark green leaves and in winter sweetly scented, pink-tinged, white flowers appear, which are followed by rounded blue-black fruit. Garden care: In late-winter or early-spring lightly trim or prune back shoots that spoil the plant’s symmetry. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant.
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna (sweet box) £12.99
Position: partial to deep shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well- drained soil Rate of growth: slow-growing to average Flowering period: December to March Flower colour: creamy-white Other features: the flowers are followed by spherical, black or blue-black berries Hardiness: fully hardy Clusters of small, creamy-white, tassel-like flowers and slender, mid- to dark green leaves. This compact, thicket-forming shrub is perfect for planting below a window, close to an entrance or path. Excellent evergreen groundcover for a moist, shady spot, the unassuming flowers are deceptive – their vanilla-like scent is one of the headiest winter fragrances. Garden care: In late-winter or early-spring lightly trim or prune back shoots that spoil the plant’s symmetry. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant.