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Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' (Sweet box 'Purple Stem')
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem'
Other names
Sweet box 'Purple Stem', Himalayan sweet box 'Purple Stem'
Genus
Sarcococca Sarcococca
Variety or Cultivar
'Purple Stem' _ 'Purple Stem' has dark green slender pointed leaves and off-white flower tufts which sometimes set as black berries. The scent from the fairly insignificant flowers is sweet and strong.
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Bushy
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent, White in Winter
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' (Sweet box 'Purple Stem') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Woodland, Foliage only, Drought Tolerant
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in deep or partial shade. If soil remains moist during summer, it will tolerate a sunny position. Pollution and drought tolerant.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem'
Other names
Sweet box 'Purple Stem', Himalayan sweet box 'Purple Stem'
Genus
Sarcococca Sarcococca
Variety or Cultivar
'Purple Stem' _ 'Purple Stem' has dark green slender pointed leaves and off-white flower tufts which sometimes set as black berries. The scent from the fairly insignificant flowers is sweet and strong.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Bushy
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent, White in Winter
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' (Sweet box 'Purple Stem') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Woodland, Foliage only, Drought Tolerant
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in deep or partial shade. If soil remains moist during summer, it will tolerate a sunny position. Pollution and drought tolerant.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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