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James H. Schutte
Buxaceae
Sarcococca hookeriana
Sweet Box
Lovers of fragrant plants take note! The small white flowers of this exceptional evergreen offer intoxicating fragrance very early in the season. Sweet box is a sprawling, densely foliated shrub that spreads via rhizomes and can form a thicket if left unmaintained. It is native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, south central China, northeast India and Nepal where it exists in the forest understory.
The glossy leaves of sweet box are oblong, lance-shaped and dark green. In late winter, small white blossoms appear along the branches in clusters of five. These are largely obscured by the foliage but can easily be found be bees and other insect pollinators. The flowers are either male or female (monecious). The female flowers are followed by persistent bluish black berries.
Grow sweet box in partial to full shade and fertile soil with average to good drainage and an acid to neutral pH. It will grow in partial sun if supplied regular soil moisture. Plant this sprawling shrub as a spreading groundcover for wooded areas or to stabilize moist, shady hillsides. It may also be planted in foundation beds where its early fragrance will not be missed.
9 - 5
6 - 9
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Broadleaf Evergreen
Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
5'-7' / 1.5m - 2.1m
Early Spring, Late Winter
Central Asia, India, Nepal
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Clay, Loam
Medium
Average Water
Spreading
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Insignificant
White, Ivory
Dark Blue, Black
Dark Green
Yes
No
Single
Fine
Glossy
Smooth
Foundation, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Sometimes
Birds
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