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.

Sarcococca hookeriana

Sarcococca hookeriana (18/02/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Dappled shade

Flowering period: Late winter

Soil: Moist but well drained

Eventual Height: 70cm

Eventual Spread: 1.8m

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

Family: Buxaceae

Sarcococca hookeriana is a slow growing, evergreen, mound forming shrub . Its dark green leaves are lanceolate. The flowers are produced in the axils of the leaves and are highly scented. The male flowers have extended pink anthers which are accented by small white petals. The female flowers are produced below the male flowers. The female flowers are then followed by fleshy black berries, produced in the summer months.

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

Sarcococca hookeriana, commonly known as Christmas Box, Sweet Box or sometimes the Himalayan Sweet Box, is native to the mountainous regions of western China.

The etymological root of the binomial name Sarcococca is derived from the Greek sarx ‘flesh’ and kokkos ‘berry’. Hookeriana is named after Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker who collected many plants from the Sikkim region of the Himalayas and was imprisoned there during his travels.

The landscape architect may find Sarcococca hookeriana useful as a low growing, evergreen shade tolerant shrub which produces very fragrant flowers during the winter months. It may be planted as a low growing informal hedge.

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

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

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Sarcococca hookeriana their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Sarcococca hookeriana prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It is tolerant of dry chalky soils.

Sarcococca hookeriana requires little maintenance.

Sarcococca confusa

Sarcococca confusa flower (21/01/2012, London)

Position: Partial shade will tolerate full sun

Soil: Moist, well drained.

Flowering period: Winter to early spring

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 1m

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

Family: Buxaceae

Sarcococca confusa (21/01/2012, London)

Sarcococca confusa is an evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded, bushy habit. The leaves are elliptic and tapered with a glossy dark green colour. Clusters of about five fragrant white flowers are borne along the shoots between the leaves during the winter months. The fruit that follows these are spherical and a glossy black colour

Sarcococca confusa, commonly known as the Christmas Box or Sweet Box, is native to east and south east Asia, including the Himalayas.

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

Sarcococca confusa berry (21/01/2012, London)

Sarcococca confusa is useful to the landscape architect for its ability to grow in shady conditions and its winter scent, being much more fragrant than S. hookeriana. It can also be used as a low informal hedge. Due to its tolerance of pollution it can be used in urban setting but care should be taken to ensure it receives adequate moisture.

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

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Sarcococca confusa their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Sarcococca confusa prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Sarcococca confusa needs little maintenance. Any formative pruning or the removal of damaged branches should be carried out in mid spring.