Overview

Sarcococca is a bushy shrubs in the genus Sarcococca, part of the Buxaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Sarcococca grows best in full shade and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, low maintenance and hedging and screens.

About

Sarcococca, commonly called sweet box, is an evergreen shrub noted for its fragrant white winter flowers. It forms a well-branched, rounded plant that suits shaded corners. Flowers appear in December, January and February, carrying a strong scent into the colder months. It performs best in sheltered, shady positions with reliably moist but well-drained soil.

About the genus

Sarcococca, nicknamed sweet box or Christmas box, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Buxaceae. native to eastern and southeastern Asia, and the Himalayas, with one species native to Central America. They are slow-growing, monoecious, evergreen shrubs 1–2 m (3–7 ft) tall.

Wikipedia contributors, "Sarcococca", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Sarcococca

In the garden

Sarcococca belongs to the Buxaceae family and is grown for its fragrant white flowers that open in the heart of winter (December, January and February). Its evergreen foliage and compact, well-branched form make it a discreet presence through the year while the winter blooms supply one of the few sources of garden scent in colder months. Plant Sarcococca in full or partial shade, where it will tolerate north-, east-, south- or west-facing aspects provided the position is sheltered. It adapts to a wide range of soils — chalk, clay, loam or sand — and copes with acid, alkaline or neutral pH; the key is a moist but well-drained rooting environment. In UK terms it is H5, hardy, so established plants withstand ordinary winter conditions across most of the country. Use sweet box in city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal borders, wildlife areas, or as low-maintenance hedging and screening where shade limits other shrubs. Because the flowering period falls in December–February, position it where you can enjoy the scent beside a path, doorway or seating area; the perfume of those small white blooms is most obvious on still, sheltered days.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Sarcococca

Sunlight

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Sarcococca size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Hedging and screens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Sarcococca

Propagation

Semi-hardwood cuttings, Seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn or spring

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Frequently asked questions