The gardening expert says the Sarcococca confusa has ‘the most fabulous scent’ and will ‘stop you in your tracks’
Alan standing beside his Sarcococca plant(Image: Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh/YouTube)
Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the one plant he believes every garden should feature in December, promising its powerful aroma will “stop you in your tracks”.
The television presenter shared the advice in a video posted to his YouTube channel, explaining how the plant could “transform your dull winter garden” despite not being particularly striking to look at.
Speaking to his 85,000 subscribers from his home in Hampshire, the Love Your Garden host said: “Here, I am majoring on both winter colour and winter scent. And the one plant that is going to give you scent like no other in winter, you will probably think looks extremely boring. This is it.”
He then introduced the Sarcococca confusa plant, commonly known as the Christmas box, adding: “This is Sarcococca, the Christmas box, and if you look at the flower buds, these green flower buds, you will see its potential because when these open they turn into white, whiskery flowers.
“Still not much to look at, but I am not kidding when I say the scent will stop you in your tracks. It is the most fabulous plant. It should be in every garden,” reports the Express.
Alan Titchmarsh has shared more great gardening tips for winter(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Alan went on to explain how the plant works best as a supporting feature rather than a showstopper. “It is not a sort of headliner, a centrepiece, but in the corner here it will offer me a bit of height at one end of this trough,” he said.
Following the video, which can be viewed in full on his channel, fans were quick to share their appreciation. One viewer commented: “There is nothing like a good scented container in the dull, cold winter to go with my garden lit by Christmas lights. I do love to be alive.”
Another added: “Thanks for showing us this tip — beautiful garden, Alan.”
Close up of flowers on a sweet box (sarcococca confusa) shrub(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Despite launching his YouTube channel earlier this year, Alan remains a familiar face on television. Viewers can catch him this weekend on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.
The programme, which airs on Sunday from 9.30am, will see him welcoming actress Lesley Joseph, Blur bassist Alex James and Coronation Street star Daniel Brocklebank to Manor Farm.
The veteran broadcaster and gardener celebrated his 76th birthday in May and recently reflected on his gratitude for his career and personal life.
Alan, who first rose to prominence as a horticultural expert on the BBC’s Nationwide, said: “I owe everything to good luck and a following wind. I love my work, I love being outdoors in my garden, I have a hugely supportive family. I enjoy my food and drink — in moderation, of course — and above all I laugh a lot. It’s worked for me.”
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