Sarcococca saligna

Sarcococca saligna (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Dappled to full shade

Flowering period: Late winter

Soil: Moist but well drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a 10b

Family: Buxaceae

Sarcococca saligna is a slow growing, evergreen shrub with a bushy, arching  habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are ovate to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 14cm long and 3cm broad. Its slightly fragrant green/ white flowers are produced in the axils of the leaves. The female flowers are produced below the male flowers. The female flowers are then followed by fleshy purple berries.

Sarcococca saligna Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Sarcococca saligna, commonly known as Sweet Box, is native to the west Himalayan region. In its native habitat it grows in forests and stream banks.

The etymological root of the binomial name Sarcococca is derived from the Greek sarx ’flesh’ and kokkos ’berry’. Saligna is from the Latin meaning ‘made of Willow wood’, I presume in reference to its leaves.

The landscape architect may find Sarcococca saligna useful as a low growing, evergreen shade tolerant shrub, including in the dry shade of tree. It may be used as a formal or informal hedging plant. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.

Sarcococca saligna Flower Buds (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Sarcococca saligna is valuable as it attracts birds to the berries and is an excellent source of winter nectar for insects.

Sarcococca saligna prefers moist, humus rich, moderately fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate dry shady soils.

Sarcococca saligna requires little maintenance. If required pruning should be carried out after flowering.

Sarcococca orientalis

Sarcococca orientalis (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Dappled to full shade

Flowering period: Late winter

Soil: Moist but well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a 10b

Family: Buxaceae

Sarcococca orientalis is a slow growing, evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are ovate to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 9cm long and 3cm broad. Its fragrant white/ pink tinged flowers are produced in the axils of the leaves. The female flowers are produced below the male flowers. The female flowers are then followed by fleshy black berries.

Sarcococca orientalis Flower (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Sarcococca orientalis, commonly known as Christmas Box or Sweet Box, is native to south east China. In its native habitat it grows in forests and stream banks.

The etymological root of the binomial name Sarcococca is derived from the Greek sarx ’flesh’ and kokkos ’berry’. Orientalis is from the Latin meaning ‘from the East’.

The landscape architect may find Sarcococca orientalis useful as a low growing, evergreen shade tolerant shrub, including in the dry shade of tree. It produces fragrant flowers during the winter months. It may be used as a formal or informal hedging plant. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.

Sarcococca orientalis Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Sarcococca orientalis is valuable as it attracts birds to the berries and is an excellent source of winter nectar for insects.

Sarcococca orientalis prefers moist, humus rich, moderately fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate dry shady soils.

Sarcococca orientalis requires little maintenance. If required pruning should be carried out after flowering.

Pachysandra procumbens

Pachysandra procumbens (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial to full shade

Soil: Moist/ well drained

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 25cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Buxaceae

Pachysandra procumbens is a semi evergreen perennial with a clump forming habit. It has obovate, glossy, blue/ green leaves are ovate with scalloped margins, up to 10cm long and 7cm broad. Its fragrant white flowers are petal-less stamens and appear on spikes which are up to 10cm long. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its slow spread.

Pachysandra procumbens Flower (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Pachysandra procumbens, commonly known as  Allegheny, Allegheny spurge or Allegheny Pachysandra, is native to east USA.

The etymological root of the binomial name Pachysandra is derived from the Greek pachys ‘thick’ and aner ‘man’, in reference to the unusually thick stamens. Procumbens is derived from the Latin procumbo meaning ‘lie down’, in reference to its habit.

The landscape architect may find Pachysandra procumbens useful to as an effective evergreen ground cover plant which tolerates shady conditions.

Pachysandra procumbens Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Pachysandra procumbens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Pachysandra procumbens prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers acidic soils. It dislikes dry soils.

Pachysandra procumbens requires little maintenance.