PLANT OF THE WEEK

Christmas box

THIS is misleadingly named, since it normally flowers in February and March. It’s not showy, but the fragrance alone makes it worth growing.

Sarcococca confusa makes a rounded, compact bush with tiny white flowers.

Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Digyna’ has slender, upright-ish, lilac-tinged stems that are dotted evenly with long oval leaves and small white flowers with a hint of pink.

Both are reliable and easy to grow, great in pots by a doorway or on the patio, and brilliant in a winter conservatory where you can enjoy the scent.

But they will also do well in any reasonably well-drained spot in dappled shade in the garden, or somewhere sunnier that doesn’t get the full force of direct midday sun in summer.