Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem'
sweet box
- Position: partial to deep shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: slow to average
- Flowering period: December to March
- 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.
- Humans/Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten