The leaves grow up to 5cm long. Genus Sarcococca are compact, sometimes suckering evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves and tiny, fragrant creamy-white flowers in winter or spring, followed by red, purple or black berries which may persist into the following winter It came from China in the late 19th century and looks as polished as porcelain. Sarcococca hookeriana humilis is commonly know as Christmas box and is in the same group as sweet box bushes. Even if I could not smell my sarcococcas I think I would want to grow them, but their scent is undoubtedly their biggest attraction. Sarcococca h. humilis (S. humilis) is low growing, seldom more than 112 feet high, and spreads to 8 feet or more by underground runners. Peter brought together Sarcococca humilis and Sarcococca hookeriana to create ‘Winter Gem’, a handsome plant with unrivalled flower power for the winter garden. They are prized for their attractive foliage, very fragrant out of season (December to February) white or greenish-white flowers and berry like fruits which are red, purple, black or blue-black when ripe. http://www.rhinegoldgardencentre.co.uk/ show you how to prune Sarcococca or Christmas Box. The clump forming species, including the relatively newly introduced S. wallichii, S. confusa and S. ruscifolia, can brighten up dull corners of the garden where little else will thrive. Evergreen. Blooms are followed by bright red ornamental fruit. Neat and easy to manage. Dig over the planting area, incorporating lots of organic matter – such as compost, leafmould or well-rotted manure. They produce broad, glossy dark green leaves with scattered spidery fragrant flowers throughout winter followed by glossy black or red berries throughout the summer, which are highly favoured by flower arrangers as they will last up to two weeks in a vase. Sarcococca is fairly slow growing but spreads into a low growing, deer-resistant colony. This could be a nuisance in a very formal layout, but it is easily controlled. Flower-arrangers like the fact that it can last for as long as a fortnight in water, while gardeners praise its neat elegance. All four of the sarcococcas I have mentioned have been given the RHS Award of Garden Merit, which means they are among the most beautiful and useful of plants in cultivation. Try pairing Sarcococca with hosta, heuchera, ajuga, or hellebores for an attractive shade garden bed. Clusters of scented white flowers are borne along the length of the stems that are followed by small glossy black berries which are one of the more attractive features of this plant. Native to eastern and south eastern Asia and the Himalayas they are naturally found in woodlands, where they thrive in shade. The genus consists of around 15 species. Dies im Gegensatz zu den gewöhnlichen süße Buchsbaum, der oft nur zwei oder drei Trieben hat. These shrubs are best positioned in full shade or part shade, although full sun will be tolerated if placed in exceedingly damp soil. Sehr schön als niedrige Hecke, verträgt jeden Schnitt. It must be said that these are modest shrubs. Near the back door, a bush of Sarcococca confusa makes a fountain of green all year. Growing sweetbox shrubs is effortless and they can be elegant little standards, gently sweeping low hedges and provide some winter interest in the dormant perennial … I'm thinking maybe take out some of the top branches altogether. They need no pruning. Sarcococca confusa - reaches about 6 feet at maturity. They bear fragrant white flowers, often in winter. Prefers shade but will tollerate sun if the soil is kept moist. Smallest of all the sweet boxes is the variety called humilis. Prepare a growing medium from a mixture of equal parts perlite, peat and coarse sand. There are a dozen or more species of these evergreen plants which come from moist, shady places in the forests and thickets of China. Slugs and snails dislike Sarcococca so they are very happy grown against an old wall where other plants might well be devoured. Peter made the first hybridisation in 2005 by removing all the male flowers from the mother plant and then carefully transferring the pollen from father plant onto those female flowers. Seeds are best sown in containers in autumn or spring if you can get there before the birds and mice take … Ein großer Topf ist mit ein oder zwei Pflanzen bald vollständig gefüllt. Sarcococca is closely related to common box (Buxus sempervirens), but has sweeter smelling, winter … How to grow Sarcococca ruscifolia Position: Partial, moderate or dense shade. Good drainage is helpful but not essential. Statistics. Forms natural espalier against a wall. Sarcococca ruscifolia, commonly called fragrant sweetbox or fragrant sarcococca, is a dense, low-growing, sometimes suckering, broadleaf evergreen shrub with a compact habit that typically grows to 3-4' tall and as wide. Foliage: Evergreen shrub, leaves stay on the shrub all year. humilis. Sarcococca confusa AGM provides gloriously scented flowers in winter, black berries into spring and glossy, dark green foliage all year…. humilis is a dwarf variety of sweet box, typically reaching only 12-18 inches high. For a grounding on Sarcococca, see Gardening 101: Sweet Box. Width: 3 ft. 0 in. Sarcococca is a shade plant that prefers rich organic soil. Smaller than S. confusa is S. ruscifolia var. Evergreen, they offer year-round interest, but their particular beauty is in the sweet fragrance of the flowers it produces over a long period from late … Useful for planting under shade, particularly und… Burncoose Nurseries: Gwennap, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 6BJ, Camellia 2 yr for £30.00 inc c&p & giftwrap, save £8.00, Mahonia Soft Caress – Save £5 on combined delivery offer, Sarcococca - Growing Guide - Burncoose Nurseries, Click here for latest ordering and Covid information. Any plant that flowers in the dead of winter has to be a valuable addition to the year-round garden! Peter brought together Sarcococca humilis and Sarcococca hookeriana to create ‘Winter Gem’, a handsome plant with unrivalled flower power for the winter garden. If you like a touch of purple, there is a similar form with a reddish stem (called 'Purple Stem'). A bush that is healthy all year, flowers during the dreariest season and is so cheerful and sweet smelling deserves some space. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' An evergreen gem to fill your garden with glorious winter fragrance. They are tough plants with leathery leaves and the small, creamy-white flowers are followed by red, black or purple berries in summer. Grow Sarcococca confusa in moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade, ideally near a path or in your front garden, where you can appreciate its scent. Lustrous, lanceolate, leathery, dark green leaves (to 3 1/2" long and to 3/4" wide) are evergreen. chinensis, which has flowers all the way up the stem, followed by red berries. Flower: Small, creamy-white flowers from December through to March. Prune in spring after flowering to maintain attractive shape. Sarcococca Species: confusa Family: Buxaceae Country Or Region Of Origin: China Dimensions: Height: 3 ft. 0 in. How to Transplant Sarcococca. Try to find a spot close to the house for Christmas box, or sweet box. Perhaps the most desirable of all the sarcococcas is S. hookeriana var. History: Sarcococca confusa Common name: Sweet Box Foliage: Evergreen. Dig a good sized hole big enough to easily accommodate the rootball. Fragrant white flowers are followed by blue-black fruit. It has glossy deep green foliage. Use a planter with ample drainage holes that is at least 4 inches deep to support the cutting. Why more people don’t have this amazing plant, commonly called sweet box, in their gardens is a mystery to me. Read customer reviews . Mary Keen cannot understand why this sweet-smelling, obliging plant is not more popular. glossy, dark green foliage. The leaves are borne alternately, 3–12 cm long and 1–4 cm broad. Gepflanzt wird in humose, neutrale bis basische Böden. Best grown in organically rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Flowering time: Late Winter – Early Spring Growth rate: slow Ultimate height and spread 200cm high x 100cm wide. Flowering time: Late Winter – Early Spring Growth rate: slow Ultimate height and spread 100cm high x 100cm wide. I have a large sarcococca, about 7 foot high, 5 across. Plant S. ruscifolia as a single specimen near a doorway to maximize enjoyment, or en masse along a shady path you frequent in winter. There is no need to prune Sarcococca at all. Slugs and snails dislike Sarcococca so they are very happy grown against an old wall where other plants might well be devoured. I'd like to reduce the size and let it grow back naturally. Also tolerant of atmospheric pollution, dry shade and neglect Propagation Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or by suckers Or should I reduce it all over ? © Burncoose Nurseries 1997 - 2020 These plants are, in fact, paragons. Commonly known as ‘Sweet Box’ or ‘Christmas Box’. ... plant it where you can enjoy those amazing winter scent every day - tough and tolerant of most conditions, 'Winter Gem' is especially valuable for shadier areas. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' An evergreen gem to fill your garden with glorious winter fragrance. It produces small white flowers with thin petals. The plant does not fear the cold and can survive even in areas with a rather hot climate. It is evergreen and produces elliptic taper pointed dark green leaves and grows well in many situations. Pruning these plants is not as hard as you might think. Add a white Daphne mezereum, which is very scented, and some Crocus tommasinianus and, if you grow the ordinary winter jasmine on a shady wall, put a bush of Sarcococca hookeriana var. Sarcococca confusa blooms in the late winter or early spring. Flower: Small, creamy-white flowers from December through to March. Providing the soil remains a little moist, and they have shelter from cold winds, they will grow almost anywhere including full sun if required. Propagation is best from semi-ripe summer cuttings. In Jan/Feb it produces tiny flowers which would go unnoticed except for their magnificent, sweet, penetrating fragrance. Announcing their presence with their incredible, sweet vanilla fragrance, tiny ivory-white flowers appear in late winter to early spring, somewhat hidden among the dense foliage of glossy, slightly rippled, dark green leaves. Flowering and Fragrance. These plants will have a lot more details displayed including an image. Sarcococca (sweet box or Christmas box) is a genus of 11 species of flowering plants in the box family Buxaceae, native to eastern and southeastern Asia and the Himalayas. Cultivation Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in shade. Also known as Christmas box plants, these shrubs are related to standard boxwood plants but offer glossier leaves and unmatched scent in late winter. Peter recognised the shortfalls of the usual Sarcococca (Sweet Box) and set about a plan to make some improvements. SARCOCOCCAS should be better-known. As for the correct exposure of the sarcococca, it is good to place the plant in a shaded or semi-shaded place. Sarcococca hook can be used as a ground cover in areas where a … After the tiny white-scented threads fall, confusa has black berries. Sarcococca Winter Gem ist verfügbar als gut verzweigter und sehr buschigen Strauch. The plant typically reaches about 7′ feet tall and 3′ feet wide. Sarcococca h. digyna is taller, … They are not the kind that shout "look at me" from across the garden, but they are pleasing plants, the sort that put you in good spirits - especially now, when so little in the garden looks bright and green. They are slow-growing, monoecious, evergreen shrubs 1–2 m (3–7 ft) tall. CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER PLANTS WE PROPAGATE Sweet box- Sarcococca confusa care. Sarcococca is a shade plant that prefers rich organic soil. Sarcococca ruscifolia shrubs are perfect for shady borders or containers and their dense bushy growth makes them a good plant for hedging or as an edging to paths and paved areas, in particular as a Box replacement. It is probably about 20 years old. Sarcococca: among the most beautiful and useful of plants in cultivation. Supplied as an established plant in a 15cm pot. This might be the one to choose if you wanted to find a replacement for box edging. France's Europe minister comes out as gay and pledges to travel to 'LGBT-free' towns in Poland, Government faces accusations over climate credibility as £240m loan to oil hub airport emerges. Best in part shade. One of the best evergreen shrubs for winter fragrance. Why have they never caught on? Seeds are best sown in containers in autumn or spring if you can get there before the birds and mice take them. Sarcococcas can be planted at just about any time of year, but avoid planting when the soil is frozen solid, waterlogged or extremely dry. Hardiness: Fully hardy. Buy Sarcococcas from the Telegraph Gardenshop. In Late winter into early spring it produces highly fragrant small white flowers. Propagation is best from semi-ripe summer cuttings. Add to this the fact that they do not mind dry rooty places, and can tolerate lime or acid soil, and you begin to wonder why they are not universally acclaimed. Grow it where you can smell it every day - near the door, in pots or in the garden. Specific plant objectives require specific pruning techniques. Sarcococca confusa is also known as Sweet Box or Christmas Box. Sarcococca species which are dwarf and have spreading rhizomatous growth (S. hookeriana and varieties) make ideal ground cover while the taller growing forms, and especially S. saligna, can be grown as a lowish hedge. These highly attractive shrubs display simple, leathery leaves and small, perfumed pale flowers that blossom during winter and spring, closely followed by purple, red or black berries. If you have a neglected shady corner, make a winter bed and edge it with Sarcococca humilis. These highly attractive shrubs display simple, leathery leaves and small, perfumed pale flowers that blossom during winter and spring, closely followed by purple, red or black berries. Sarcococca are often referred to as ‘Christmas Box’ or ‘Sweet Box’ and are compact evergreen shrubs, native to China and introduced to Britain by the famous plant hunter and botanist, Jozeph Hooker. S. hookeriana var. All plant pictures are copyright © Burncoose Nurseries unless otherwise stated. As ground cover in a dark rooty corner, humilis or confusa are unbeatable. Sarcococca - Growing Guide - Burncoose Nurseries >. Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for sweet box with our Sweet Box: A Field Guide. An outstanding choice for dry shade gardens where other plants won't grow! White spring flowers are small, but very fragrant. glossy, dark green foliage. If you enter just a plant name, you will see results from the old RHS Plant Finder and Selector databases; If you select any attributes with or without a plant name, you will see a much narrower selection of results taken only from the old RHS Plant Selector database. “Plant one by the front door and get to know it during the winter months.” Sarcococca are often referred to as ‘Christmas Box’ or ‘Sweet Box’ and are compact evergreen shrubs, native to China and introduced to Britain by the famous plant hunter and botanist, Jozeph Hooker. Alternatively grow sarcococca plants in patio containers using soil based compost such as John Innes No.3. Although Sarcococca plants are tolerant and will put up with most soil types, we recommended that the planting soil is mixed with compost to give the plants the best environment to grow in for their first year. These plants thrive in shade, even in the sort of beastly places under trees where other plants languish and shrivel through lack of light… Native to eastern and south eastern Asia and the Himalayas they are naturally found in woodlands, where they thrive in shade. Leaves simple, alternate (occasionally opposite), oblong to narrow lanceolate, 5-9 cm long, slender-pointed, entire, lustrous dark green above. Most species of Sarcococca are fully frost hardy, S. saligna a little less so, and all are tolerant of neglect and dry shady conditions. Fragrant sweet box (Sarcococca ruscifolia) is an evergreen shrub that you can propagate from semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken from recently matured wood and growing plant tissue. Best with consistent moisture. 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