Autumn Catalogue

[Ladygardener]

Just recieved my J.Parker autumn caltalogue. Help!! there are so many lovely plants to choose from. Will have to think carefully about the bank balance and think realistically what I can grow.
Does anyone have christmas box Sarcococca humilis ? £9.90 for 3 of them. I smelled it for the 1st time last year and was amazed. Are they difficult to grow in your opinion?

[Weeterrier]

))))))))))))))))STOP((((((((((((((((((((((

LNG, you may be lucky and receive something worthwhile, but I'd avoid buying plants from Parkers. Their bulbs are fine, I buy from them every year and am never disappointed. But on the whole, you get what you pay for when it comes to the other stuff.
Anyway, Crocus have a Sarcococca in a 3 litre pot for £7.99 and if you use your discount code you'd get 20% off that. A much better option. I have one, lovely shrub, grows no bother.

But remember, Parkers bulbs are great. I wouldn't want to put you off buying them.

[Ladygardener]

Thanks for that info WT, I'll look only at their bulbs then and have a look at Crocus but I'm not sure if they deliver to Northern Ireland. Will check out later on, have to run now for an appointment at the hospital.

[Plocket]

Like you LNG I like looking through the Parkers catalogue, but I too would advise against buying their plants. I find them disappointing in that they are small and sometimes sickly looking. I've never bought their bulbs though so can't comment.

[Deleted]

I have 3 sweet Sarcococca in my front and they smell great in winter as far as looking after them goes i never go near them so they must be hardy

[Jasmine]

I've got a sarcococca in a pot by the back door - it is quite a small plant at the moment but has lovely glossy leaves and doesn't get much fuss (water and feed along with all the other pots). I am looking forward to when it flowers! (It didn't come from Parkers!)

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Plocket I'll take yours and WT advice and only look at their bulbs. WT and Stevemc, if it grows in Scotland and Dublin and is no bother to you two, then I'll take a chance and hope to grow it here in Belfast. I won't order from J. Parker 'tho. I'll have to see if there is any chance of me getting to a garden centre.On further looking, the one I was looking at is only in a 9cm pot!!

[Ladygardener]

Jasmine, thanks for the reply and the info, we must have been typing at the same time. From the sounds of things it seems to be a fairly easy enough little shub to grow.

[Shrubrose]

Jul 23, 2008 13:02:46 GMT Ladygardener said:

Jasmine, thanks for the reply and the info, we must have been typing at the same time. From the sounds of things it seems to be a fairly easy enough little shub to grow.

I have three or four of them LNG. Wonderful shrub (not me, the plant! ;D). Easy to care for, likes shade or a north facing spot best - I say this because I read it somewhere and through experience. It will grow in sunnier spots but the leaves lighten and become paler. It has the most beautiful scent - like honeysuckle x 10. It seems to need no special attention. The flowers are rather insignificant but as I say, their scent is amazing.

I had one in a pot and brought it in to the porch during the winter and the air was really heavy with the scent - had to put it out in the end as it was just too heavy.

Would thoroughly recommend it.

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Shrub, the more I read about this little shrub the more I like it. ;D I have in mind to have it in a pot by my front door so I can smell it every time I pop outside.