February 1st Treasures 4 - Sarcococca Confusa

Isn't it amazing? I tried to stoop down to sniff it, but as soon as I brushed the plant, the perfume came wafting out at me!

yes beautiful smell - wondering do I need to cover these too in cold ??

I don't think so Paul. They are hardy.

Thanks Karen - one book says protect in frost - tag says hardy - but it is not going to be especially cold - by the way any ideas what a photinia can withstand in temps ??

Have recently moved ours to the back of the garden it was getting too large for our tiny front garden, so glad I did, now every time I go up the garden path this delicious perfume fills the air.
Paul Photinias are not fully hardy, if the weather is severe they can suffer.

I read about minus 5 then they may die :(

Would anyone who knows about Sarcococca please look at my question put on GoY today. Thanks :o)

Remember seeing, well smelling, this for the first time on a trip to Hodsock Priory several years ago, amazing scent for such a tiny flower, thanks Karen I can smell it now :-))

Paul, try not to worry too much. If they are knocked back hard, you can prune them and they usually come back. I lost one last winter but the other half dozen are fine. I had to prune one hard back but it has recovered well. The one that died....I think I may have damaged the roots digging around it in the summer because it was regrowing fine until about June but then suddenly stopped growing. We had -10C last winter.

Have done TT, Simbad, thank you!

This is a real must get for me

My two Sarcococcas were tiny unlabelled plants about 50p each from a hospital charity stall.. It's only since they've grown and produced flowers and berries that I've realised what they are, and such bargain prices !

Good luck in getting yours, Annella.

Paul .. my photinias survived okay through last winter's freeze..

Karen.. thanks for commenting on my question :o)

:) Charity plant stalls are great aren't they. It was on one, quite near here, that I found and started growing the lovely Mertensia. I had never even heard of it before then. Must go to more open gardens this year!!

And when charity plant stalls are reasonably local, there's a good chance the plant will also thrive well in your own garden, having similar soil, weather etc.

But it would be useful if the plants were all labelled.. Lol.

Yes that's true about the local element. Labelling is good also, but it can be a bit of fun finding out what you've got! When I got the Mertensia I was working in my local council and some of my colleagues were horticulturists, so one of them was able to id the plant for me...otherwise I would have been hours trawling through rhs encycopedia of plants and flowers...but I have to admit, that is one of my favourite pastimes!! :)))