Sarcococca Winter Gem
Best low-maintenance shrub for adding winter fragrance to small garden spaces.
Bring life and fragrance to your winter garden with the Sarcococca Winter Gem. This evergreen shrub boasts striking red buds that unfurl into pristine, honey-scented white flowers, offering the first color and aroma of the season. Its large, glossy dark green leaves provide year-round appeal, complemented by berries that transition from red to shiny black. Hardy and disease-tolerant, this compact shrub is an excellent choice for beds, borders, and containers, promising easy care and continuous interest.
$18.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-52%
Below average
SKU
2358
/ v
Who it's for
- Gardeners craving sensory interest during the bleak winter months
- Homeowners needing reliable, year-round greenery for shady foundation spots
- Busy landscapers wanting deer-resistant plants that require minimal upkeep
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners looking for rapid coverage or instant privacy hedges
- Residents in arid climates or areas prone to summer drought
- Aesthetic-focused planters desiring showy, high-impact winter floral displays
Performance breakdown
Winter Interest
Provides essential fragrance and color when most gardens are dormant.
Maintenance Ease
Disease-tolerant nature ensures a stress-free experience for busy gardeners.
Versatility
Compact habit thrives equally well in containers or garden borders.
Foliage Quality
Glossy, evergreen leaves maintain visual appeal throughout the entire year.
Growth Rate
Slow development requires patience but results in a tidy, manageable shape.
Hardiness Reliability
Dependable performance across zones six through nine for consistent results.
Key Specs
SKU
v2358
Genus
Sarcococca
Species
hookeriana
Variety
var. humulis 'PMOORE03'
Item Form
2-Quart
Mature Height
2.5 Feet
Mature Width
2 Feet
Hardiness Zones
6 - 9
Features
- Fragrant white flowers bloom in winter
- Glossy, dark green evergreen foliage
- Attractive red to black berries
- Blooms in the first year
- Highly disease tolerant
- Compact, mounding growth habit
- Easy to care for
- Container-friendly design
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Sarcococca Winter Gem for its exceptional quality and reliable performance, especially during the colder months. Reviewers frequently highlight the plant's robust health upon arrival and its ability to thrive in challenging, shaded areas. The powerful, sweet fragrance is a major draw, confirming its value as a reliable source of winter interest. This plant delivers on its promise of year round evergreen structure and dependable winter bloom, making it a highly recommended garden investment.
Know before you buy
Yes, this shrub is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9. It is specifically prized for its ability to bloom during the winter months when most other plants are dormant.
Absolutely. Its compact, mounding habit and slow growth rate make it an excellent candidate for containers. Just ensure your pot has good drainage to keep the soil from becoming waterlogged.
Sarcococca Winter Gem performs best in partial shade. It is an ideal choice for areas under trees or on the north side of a building where it can avoid the harsh intensity of direct afternoon sun.
Yes, it produces honey-scented white flowers in late winter and early spring. Because it blooms when little else is flowering, the fragrance is quite noticeable and a welcome addition to the garden.
You can expect this variety to reach a mature height of approximately 2.5 feet and a width of 2 feet. Its slow growth rate makes it very easy to manage in smaller garden beds or borders.
It thrives in loamy, well-drained soil. If your garden soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with organic matter to improve drainage and ensure the roots stay healthy.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$19