Sarcococca Hookeriana Var. Humilis
Sarcococca Humilis (Sweet Box) flowering in our Aberdeen garden in February.
(Sarcococca Hookeriana Var. Humilis) is well worthy of consideration for your garden. Well it doesn’t exactly jump out at you but hey any plant which flowers in the month of February has to be a gardeners friend.
To be quite honest, this shrub has been in the main border of the back garden for a number of years and I had never paid much attention to it. Well not until the delightful Edith Hope, a lady with the charm of a bygone age did sing its praises when I at one time mentioned said plant.
Whatever you do don’t place it in the middle of the border where it is difficult to gain access. Plant it near the path edge where you can admire the tiny blooms and if your senses are more attuned than mine you can take in the unexpected fragrance on a Winters day.
Although this evergreen shrub will grow well enough in a sunny position it will also thrive in the most dense of shade. The only other evergreen shrub to my knowledge which grows as well in such shade is the Aucuba,(Spotted Laurel).
Sarcococca from Western China has dark green glossy leaves and small white beautifully fragrant flowers, which have pink tips whilst in bud. The flowers start to open in some areas of the UK from December and continue through till March, followed by small black fruits. Well here in Aberdeen expect to first see the blooms in February, to be quite honest I would be surprised to see them in bloom in the month of December anywhere in the UK.
Hardiness – Fully Hardy
Height – 60cm/2ft
Spread – 90cm/3ft
Position – Full Sun/Partial/Full Shade, in Moist Well Drained Soil
Common Name – Sweet Box
Flowering – December till March.
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Just a little stroll through the back garden as it was in Summer of last year.
Coming through the garden gate from the front of the house.
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The patio will hopefully get more use this Summer after last years miserable weather.
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Just beyond the patio the Rhododendrons gave a good show.
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The wee garden pond which is in the main area of the back garden.
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The main area of the back garden planted in a manner which is easy to keep and looks good with little effort, well reasonably easy.
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A little further up the path we have the round garden. A few years ago I could not get the grass to grow in this area. Turned out that just too much shade was being cast with conifers which had become too overgrown. All is now well after the major cut back of offending specimens.
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A short distance up the path and through a green wooden gate from the round garden lies the Secret and Woodland Garden. Its hard to have favourite areas of the garden, I may say one thing and then change my mind in an instance. However I am very fond of this area.
If you happen to leave a comment I will be sure to visit your site and do the same
© 2012 – 2015, Alistair. All rights reserved.
I have admired Sweet Box and want it in my garden! We have large trees and quite dense shade, so it sounds like a winner. Thanks for the nudge to remind me to get on it.
Chris, the sweet box does have a subtle appeal and is worth considering.
Alistair what a treat to go on a virtual garden tour of your gardens…I only have the ugly side right now although the tiniest of color is now showing through the brown faded stems and leaves laying about…I do have to clean but will be taking it slow since I fell recently and am still a bit bruised especially one knee…I have the sweet box in a shady area but I may reconsider moving it since it has not done much and cannot be viewed easily from where it is.
Thanks Donna, sorry to hear about your fall, hope you are back to your old self soon.
Wow what an amazing garden. Thank you for sharing your photos. I love having a look around other people’s gardens, they are always inspirational. I’d love to be able to replicate that feeling of abundance and lushness. I particularly love the erythroniums. I haven’t got any in my garden but will be on the look out for some.
Wellywoman, I am just waiting for the Erythroniums to start opening, everything is earlier this year.
Such a nice look back at your beautiful gardens. Those lilies are fabulous! And the astilbes! I have always dreamed of having astilbe in my garden. I’m trying them again for the third time. Keeping my fingers crossed! Love your round garden. And the back garden surely does not look like it would be easily maintained. But I’m learning that sometimes the most beautiful gardens really don’t have to be so very labor intensive.
Hello Holley, it is surprising come Summer just how much time I can afford to laze about reading a book in the garden.
Your garden never fails to amaze me and I love everything you’ve shared today Alistair… there is so much to see and admire… it’s wonderful! Larry
Thanks Larry, it means a lot coming from your good self.
I’ve really enjoyed walking through your garden, erm…. a virtual walk that is, oh you know what I mean. And the sarcococca has just been added to my wish list, I need a plant for dense shade.
Thanks Crystal, Virtual! I always forget that word when I need it.
Alistair, I really enjoyed the views of your garden! The long views are stunning, but I also appreciate seeing some closer views. I imagine I could spend an enjoyable afternoon strolling through and examining all that your garden offers! I have must consider sweet box for my own garden!
Hello Deb, It is a while since I showed the garden to any extent, glad you liked it.
Alistair – When I see photos of your garden I am filled with wonder, admiration, inspiration … but most of all envy!
Thanks for showing us how your gardens fit together. I love the rhododendron most of all – do you prune it or leave it alone ?
Thanks b-a-g, The Rhododendrons get an occasional prune on areas that have become overgrown, means you lose an area of flowering for one year.
Your garden is simply splendid! I wouldn’t be able to pick a favorite area either! Thanks for the tour. Can’t wait to see more as it wakes up this year.
Thanks spurge, Cant think that there will be much change in the garden this year. Feel I have reached a stage where general maintenance is enough.
Alistair I love the smell of that plant – and you’re right the gardeners chum in February!
I think perhaps your garden is paradise. Achievable in Aberdeen – amazing.
Mr Flowers as you know is contemplating a move to the Granite City in the future for work. I’ve been nervous as its a guy bleak reputation for greyness – clearly not in your patch.
I’m reconsidering! All the best to the family!
Hello Fay, on the bright side—-way back before the package holidays folks from Glasgow would throng to Aberdeen for their Summer holidays as it had the reputation of being sunnier than where they live. Also of course it is the city with the golden sands. Lets not forget Aberdeen has won the Britain in bloom title more times than any other city in the UK, and was banned from entering for a couple of years to give others a chance. The greyness! well the granite absolutely sparkles on a sunny day but can look bleak on the dull days. In Winter the city generally gets little snow and not many sub zero temperatures, also not much high winds. (much harsher inland) On the downside, the temperature in Summer is too low, the shelter of our garden makes this quite acceptable, although I like to moan about it. (phew, fit a lang winded speil.)
Alistair your garden is like a tardis – I’m amazed at how big your patio decking area is. Loved seeing your favourite photos from last summer – my garden is like a tiny postage stamp compared to yours. My favourite photo is the one with the pink astilble and the trellis behind it.
I do like Astilbe Rosie, they grow very well here.
Very prim and proper I must say! I am chuffed to get the tour. Did I use that right? lol.
Just brilliant Greggo. I will put your name forward as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election, now which party I wonder.
How I enjoyed the tour of your garden! To see everything as it is in the best of times shows me all the work you must put into your garden…it is evident! The lilies as they tower above and along your garden bed are stunning. Each ‘room’ is well-planned and beautifully created…excellent!
Thank you Sage Butterfly, I try not to show the long shots too often as I have reached a stage where it is generally all maintenance. As you could imagine it would be showing the same over and over again.
Hello Alistair. Even if you’re posting the close-up shots of your plants, the wide angle shots surface vividly in my consciousness, because it has always been so blatantly beautiful. I will again repeat, that yours is the garden i dreamed off for an English garden, and for the tropical one it can be Meem’s Hoe and Shovel Garden. I can’t imagine the care and maintenance you put here considering that you don’t have much help. Oh it’s amazing and you are incredible.
Thank you Andrea, A recent quote from a blogger comes to mind
Confucius said “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life
Dear Alistair, A little research shows me Himalayan Sweet Box grows well in my location, so now it’s on my list. Your garden is amazing! P. x
I hope it grows well for you Pam.
Alistair, It is hard to imagine that there are any ugly parts of your garden; it seems very photogenic to me! There are so many lovely little vignettes here, including a few areas of the garden that I don’t recall seeing before. It must be nice to sit in your little patio area and enjoy a meal.
Hello Jennifer, Well, I suppose at certain times of the year some areas do look pretty bad.
I just love the layout of your garden! I also have a circle lawn. I love to design the turf into an actual shape instead of letting it be the blob in the middle. I hope you are enjoying this early spring!
Julie
I know what you mean regarding the Lawn Julie. I make it smaller to give more room for plants then a few years later I am adding to it again, changing the shape, never can make up my mind what’s best.
Hello Alistair
I agree with you, Sarcococcas are real gems in the winter! I have Sarcococca hookeriana digyna and Sarcococca confusa and when I stand at my backdoor I can smell them from the other end of my garden! I do however have a very small garden compared to you and I must say I envy you the space you have to play with 🙂 You have an absolutely amazing garden, thanks for the tour!
Thanks Helene, I think my sense of smell only comes alive in Summer.
Well if anyone on this planet deserves this award, it’s YOU!!
http://www.tidygardensbyjane.co.uk/2012/03/someones-been-on-sherry.html
I’m seriously envious of your amazing garden…fabulous to have a walk though your piece of paradise.
Now…I’ve got tickets sorted and an ice-cream van arranged for the Easter Hols. Tell Myra to make up the spare room, I’m coming to stay…you’re the tour guide, I’ll sell tickets to your garden & Myra can sort out the flake bars in the ice-cream whip! xxxx
Thanks Jane, very kind of you, don’t know if I am worthy though. Dont trust Myra with the ice cream, she’l scoff the lot.
Yeah right Alistair, like anything about your garden could be ugly. And no fair going to some vacant lot to take pictures.
NICE fawn lilies. Looks like they have made themselves at home there. So pretty. I hope mine survive our spring snows.
I have been searching the archives for ugly stuff Linnie, personally I don’t quite get the point of it and I may do a u turn. I hate Spring snow.
I loved your tour from last year, I do hope you get more time on your patio, too.
Thanks Donna, making the best of Spring anyway.
Hi Alastair, that sweet box flowers are very attractive, I like the twistiness. I wonder if it likes to be brushed against to release its fragrance, another reason to have it near a path. Your garden is looking wonderful. Like you, I couldn’t possibly decide which bit I prefer, they’re all different. (Could you choose between your children? Impossible!) What I notice is how i like the hard materials you’re used – the stone paths and steps, the lattice fence and the patterned wooden decking. cheers, cm
Thanks for the visit catmint and your kind comments.
Your garden has an ugly side? This I have to see.
Well Bom, I searched the archives and have decided it will have to wait.
I love the decked area, was looking at the pergola over it, given me a few ideas!
M&G I have just given it a bit of a make over, well more of a paint job. I used that Cuprinol Shades(willow). It looks great, and very easy to use. Myra has now found this sheltered area handy for clothes drying, hmm, I will have to come up with a plan.
what a tour the minute you come through the gates into your awe inspiring garden you are in a piece of heaven, you must really love were you are.
thank you
antjon
Thanks Antjon, I will look forward to checking out your site.