Sarcococca wallichii
Sweet box, Christmas box
Sarcococca confusa
Sealy Species
- Botanical name
- Sarcococca confusa
- Family
- Buxaceae
- Genus
- Sarcococca
- Flowering period
- January to March
- Height
- 100–200 cm
- Spread
- 100–150 cm
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy (RHS H5)
- Reference
- World Flora Online
How to grow Sweet box, Christmas box
Partial to full shade
Moderate; prefers soil that does not dry out completely
Moist, humus-rich, well-drained
Acid to alkaline
Planting
One of the best evergreens for shade. The flowers are tiny and easily missed but the scent is powerful, so plant it beside a door, gate or path used in winter rather than in a far corner where it will be wasted.
Pruning
Little needed. Shorten any wayward stems after flowering in spring. It takes clipping and can be used as a low informal hedge in shade.
Propagation
Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, or detach the suckers it produces around the base.
Pests and diseases
Generally trouble-free. Scale insects occasionally.
Value to wildlife
Winter nectar for any bee out on a mild day, and the black berries are taken by birds.
Notes
Slow-growing, so buy a decent-sized plant. It suckers gently over time, which is useful for thickening a shady planting.
This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.
Others in Sarcococca
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