Sarcococca hookeriana var. hookeriana
Sweet Box
Sarcococca (sweet box or Christmas box) is a genus of around 20 species of evergreen flowering plants often used for hedging. It is slow-growing, and the flowers, which are often fragrant, are followed by red or black fruit.S. hookeriana var. hookeriana is a suckering evergreen shrub, forming a compact thicket of upright stems. It has leathery, lance-shaped leaves and tiny, fragrant white flowers in late winter, followed by black berries. Height: 60cm-1m.
Contributed by @LeonCharalambous
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Partial shade to deep shade
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Occasional watering
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Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Moist and free draining
Common name
Sweet Box
Latin name
Sarcococca hookeriana var. hookeriana
type
Evergreen Shrub
family
Buxaceae
ph
5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
Sarcococca hookeriana var. hookeriana
Sarcococca (sweet box or Christmas box) is a genus of around 20 species of evergreen flowering plants often used for hedging. It is slow-growing, and the flowers, which are often fragrant, are followed by red or black fruit.S. hookeriana var. hookeriana is a suckering evergreen shrub, forming a compact thicket of upright stems. It has leathery, lance-shaped leaves and tiny, fragrant white flowers in late winter, followed by black berries. Height: 60cm-1m.
Planting
From Early Spring TO Early Spring
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in shade. Full sun may be tolerated when planted in damp soil. Also tolerant of atmospheric pollution, dry shade and neglect. They can be planted to create a low hedge or used in the border as specimens or en masse to create a wave of fragrance. And they can be extremely effective grown in pots, perhaps alongside some flowering heathers, placed in a prominent position when they come into flower in the winter, to brighten up the front of a house or patio.
Propagation
From Early Spring TO Early Spring
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or propagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn or spring