winter flowers

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' – This Dwarf Sweetbox forms a lovely shrub in shade with its glossy flame-shaped blades. I cannot sing its praises better than Dan Hinkley, this from The Explorer's Garden, Shrubs and Vines: "This has long been cultivated in Europe, less so in North America, and is aptly referred to as 'Purple Stem' by the English gardening community. Under the collection number DJHC 492, it has proven to be a sensational plant, with light green foliage contrasting well with the dark purple stems, and a steady progression of intoxicatingly fragrant flowers from Christmas through February... The flowers are followed by crops of glistening black-purple fruit ripening in late summer." From Yunnan Province and specifically from a mountain range known as Ninety-nine Dragons north of Dali it will require protection at the northern end of its range. Site in shade to dappled shade planted in fertile soil laden with organic matter. Spring planting is advised in the north. Winter protection for 2 to 3 years after planting would be wise. Cutting grown.