Sarcococca and Skimmia

Love both Sarcococca and Skimmia but landscape contractors are very hesitant to use these plants in PA. I know they are slow growing, shade tolerant and require average to moist soil. It seems like these two plants fill a niche that few others can provide and I would love to grow and recommend them to customers.

If anyone grows these plants in PA I would like to know what your experience has been like with these two gems. Are there any major problems other than the fact that they are slow growing?

Skimmia

I've grown 3 spp of Sarcococca Sg, and found them good doers - though slow. I really rate them for their scent in the middle of winter (always like one near a door). Wouldn't like to be without them, though I have no experience in your area of course.

I've grown 2 spp of Skimmia. Neither were particularly happy, though they weren't in ideal spots. many people seem to grow them with great success.

Thanks for the input philomel. What conditions did you have the Skimmia in that is wasn't 'happy'? Did they die or just not grow well?

Do you have any pictures of your Sarcococca? I have only seen it growing in arboretums and of course in books. What is the scent like?

I'll have a hunt in my files and see if I can find any photos

The Skimmia were in wet heavy clay and suffered from chlorosis I think, as their leaves were yellowy. One died, but it had been moved about three years earlier as a 2' plant, so rather unfare on it perhaps. The other was actually improving each year until I left England.

The scent of the Sarcococca is sweet but not cloying and carries reasonably well in the air. The best site for it is a sheltered spot where the scent will not easily get blown away on the breeze.
Incidentally, they were growing in the same shady bed as the Skimmia.
I have some baby Sarcs given me by a friend in my cold frame and am looking forward to finding a place for them here.

Thanks phil...I have shady wet soil in one area and shady average to dry soil in the back. Maybe I will try them in the drier location this coming spring.

Looking forward to your Sarc photos!

Thanks

I think they do like damp soil, but I've just remembered the Skimmias got the remains of a concrete path to contend with as well - definitely not fair on them.

Sorry can't find any photos of my own
http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=Sarcococca
I had S humilis, S hookeriana and S confusa

Wow...I never visited that site before...guess I will be spending some time there.

THANKS!

You can download a toolbar from Google so that they sit up on your header and are there whenever you need them (probably very often *grin*)

How did I miss this all this time? This is better than many horticultural sites!!!

It certainly comes up trumps pretty often, though you have to remember it's only a web search and things come up that are not accurately named - or even what you asked for - occasionally ;)

THANKS

De rien, as they say here -'it's nothing'
Someone pointed me at it a while ago and I've been grateful ever since - just passing it on :)