Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Purple Stem

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' bears a rather complicated name for a bush that is so undemanding that it is often relegated to the dry and shady corners of the garden.  However, this Hooker's sarcococca deserves more attention: evergreen, with a dense and spreading habit, it stands out from the species with its finer foliage, as well as its young shoots and flowers beautifully tinted with pink-purple. Its rather discreet winter flowering is delicately scented, and then it gives way to small almost black berries. Perfect in shade or partial shade, it easily settles among the roots of trees, slowly but surely, but it will be much more beautiful in a fertile soil, with a tendency towards acidity, and retaining moisture.

 Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna is a ramified rhizome bush belonging to the Buxaceae family, a close relative of the Boxwood, native to western China and the Himalayas. It is commonly found in the evergreen forests of these regions. The 'Purple Stem' variety forms a small dense bush with a compact habit and initially purple then brown, arched stems, which will not exceed 1.2 metres (3 feet 11 inches) in height and 1 metre (3 feet 4 inches) in width after many years, as its growth is quite slow. Its original foliage is evergreen and leathery. It is pink-purple when it first emerges and then becomes medium green. The leaves are entire, oblong-lanceolate, and elongated; they measure 6-9cm (2.4-3.5in) in length. The flowers, surrounded by pink bracts, appear from December onwards, sometimes alongside the black fruits, creating a very nice contrast. They are gathered in short clusters in the axils of the leaves along the branches. They measure no more than 3 to 5mm (0.1 to 0.2in) in length, are devoid of petals, showing only very developed pale yellow-green stamens. This delightfully scented flowering lasts for about 2 months, depending on the climate.

This Sarcococca may not be the easiest to acclimatize to our gardens, due to its relative hardiness, but it offers a deliciously scented flowering and beautifully colored foliage. Although it grows slowly, like dwarf conifers, it knows how to blend in during the summer, but effectively structures small spaces in winter and requires little maintenance. It has the advantage of bringing a touch of spring to the garden throughout the winter season, like Mahonias that can accompany it. It is cultivated in borders as well as in understory, low hedges, or ground covers. It only dislikes excessively chalky soils and can tolerate competition from tree roots. It is perfect in the company of ferns, witch hazels, Skimmias, Aucubas, or azaleas. You can even grow it in pots.