Himalayan Sweet Box
Common Name: Himalayan sweet box
Botanical Name: Sarcococca hookeriana Form: vase Family: Buxaceae Genus: Sarcococca Species: hookeriana Plant Type: broadleaf evergreen Mature Size: 2 to 5 feet x 2 to 6 feet Growth: medium Origin: Himalayas, China Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8 Foliage: 3 1/2" long x to 3/4" wide, deep green, leathery and evergreen with a pointed tip. Flowers: ½ inch long, white tubular fragrant flowers in leaf axils in winter into April. Monoecious, male and female flowers on the same plant. Fruit: red berries that ripen into 1/3 inch shiny black fruit Stems: green Exposure: partial shade to shade Soil: moist Uses: groundcover, woodlands, fragrant gardens, shrub border, low hedge, naturalizing, shady slopes, winter interest, foundation planting, erosion control, dry shade, massing. Propagation: underground runners, semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer Pruning: after flowers to keep plants compact Problems: none Cultivars: Dwarf sweet box, S. hookeriana var. humilis, is low growing and compact, 1-2 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet. Comments: This versatile shade loving broadleaf evergreen shrub looks good all year long. It’s small, white tubular fragrant flowers blossom start flowering in the beginning of the year and into the spring. Their showy, shiny black berries are attractive and linger on the plants. Plants slowly spread through underground suckers, but not considered invasive. Does well in moist soil and benefits from being mulched. Water in extreme heat. |