CPN (Certified Plant Nerd)Patrick.Breen@oregonstate.edu, College of Agricultural Sciences - Department of Horticulture, USDA Hardiness Zone Maps of the United States, Oregon Master Gardener Training: Identifying Woody Plants. A great groundcover for the shade garden! Good ground cover in shade. As a ground cover, S. ruscifolia is especially useful, since it is untroubled by dry shade, or by soil that might otherwise be considered too acidic or too chalky. Aug 22, 2018 - Looking to mix it up with some new landscaping ideas this season? Note: This plant is currently NOT for sale. Azalea (Azalea); Camellia (Camellia); Fatsia (Fatsia); Rhododendron (Rhododendron); Hydrangea (Hydrangea). • It is drought tolerant like ivy, once established. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 Native to western China. It is known to naturally espalier itself against a house and thus can be useful in tight spots and under windows. Good as ground cover or as a low hedge under shade. This evergreen is suitable for planting under shade - making it ideal for woodland planting and useful for problem shady areas. This deer-resistant evergreen groundcover shrub looks wonderful in the woodland garden or near an entryway. I have a run of 18 planted which have grown very little over the past 2 years and some are starting to yellow and lose leaves. Prefers shade but will tollerate sun if the soil is kept moist. Hardiness Zone: 3-9; Height: 12-20 ft; Spread: 6-8 ft; Bloom Color: White; Category: Shrubs. Fragrant white flowers are followed by blue-black fruit. Sarcococca '' Overview. 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 … Sweet Box Evergreen Shrubs. Excellent plant for use in drier shady areas. i. humilis) is an evergreen groundcover for part shade or shade, with very fragrant late winter flowers. Sarcococca hookeriana humilis, commonly known as sweet box, is an evergreen that originates in the Himalaya Mountains. This is a beautiful, dark green shrub for areas with partial to dense shade that bears sweetly fragrant, white flowers all along its stems in winter that give way to attractive scarlet red fruits. Fruit 6-8 mm diam., globose, shiny black. Sarcococca ‘Winter Gem’ won’t just help your winter garden to shine, it will illuminate the garden all year round! Himalayan Sweet Box is a low maintenance ground cover shrub that is also deer resistant. Sweet box is the common name for a group of evergreen shrubs and groundcovers in the Sarcococca genus. This list offers some suggestions for groundcovers for different sites, however, there are many more options. Sarcococca h. digyna is taller, … © 2020 Monrovia Nursery Company. Sarcocca is a hardy shrub that flourishes on free draining fertile soils (including chalk), but prefers a moisture retentive yet free draining soil with plenty of humus. Fragrant white flowers in winter followed by dark red berries in summer. Ideal for a dry shady spot or wooded glade. Grow in a sheltered shaded position, in a humus-rich, well drained, moderately fertile soil. Tolerant of dry shade and urban conditions, thriving with little care. Fragrant Sweet Box – Sarcococoa Hookeriana var Humilis Sweet Smelling, Shade Loving, Evergreen Groundcover In spring, there’s a certain glossy green ground cover—the fragrant sweet box—that’s easy to overlook until this time of year. Technically a small shrub, dwarf sweetbox slowly creeps by means of underground stolons to form a 4′ patch over 10 years. Slowly reaches 1 1/2 to 2 ft. tall, spreading 8 ft. wide. How to Care for Sarcococca hookeriana Sweet Box Shrubs a. Evergreen. Sarcococca h. humilis (S. humilis) is low growing, seldom more than 112 feet high, and spreads to 8 feet or more by underground runners. Sarcococca hookeriana var. Fragrant winter blossoms are a bonus. The perfect high groundcover for shade, this evergreen looks wonderful in the woodland garden or near an entryway. Noteworthy Characteristics Sarcococca hookeriana commonly called sweetbox is a low-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub to 5' tall that spreads, albeit slowly, by stolons to 6' wide or more over time in shady areas of the landscape. Himalayan Sweet Box is the perfect evergreen flowering ground cover for shady areas. Deep green foliage is an exceptional background for artistic elements or intensely colored perennials. Lustrous, lanceolate, leathery, dark green leaves (to 3 1/2" long and to 3/4" wide) are evergreen. logging into shop.monrovia.com. It is indeed a special gem for the winter garden that also has a fantastic scent. Or, include it in your container gardens for year-round texture and winter interest. Leaves simple, alternate (occasionally opposite), oblong to narrow lanceolate, 5-9 cm long, slender-pointed, entire, lustrous dark green above. Flowers give way to blue/black berries that birds like. I am looking for guidance on the best fertiliser for Sarcococca Confusa. Whenever you connect with nature, connect with us! campus: front of the Valley Library. Also known as Christmas box plants, these shrubs are related to standard boxwood plants but offer glossier leaves and unmatched scent in late winter. Recent Posts. • The flowers of sweet box attract bees in winter, followed by … • It grows well … By clicking "LOGIN", you are For a refined and elegant, truly evergreen ground cover, I recommend dwarf sweetbox, Sarcococca hookeriana var. Sweetly scented, Sarcococca confusa (Sweet Box) is a terrific, winter-flowering, evergreen shrub rich of many qualities. Your plants are actively growing and we will only deliver them once they meet our rigorous quality standards, Discover new plants and design ideas for your garden, 817 E. Monrovia Place Azusa, California 91702-1385. Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' tolerates full sun and full shade, forming a dense shrub three to four feet tall and twice as wide. Incredible perfume, hardy evergreen leaves and ease of care are all characteristics of Sarcococca sweetbox shrubs. Dwarf sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. Full Shade. Planting and Growing Sarcococca. Your plant(s) will ship to the garden center you chose within the next 21 days. All Rights Reserved. Tibet. humilis is a mouthful, so just remember "dwarf sweet box." Broadleaf evergreen groundcover/shrub, 18-24 inches (45-63 cm) high, stoloniferous. Fragrant white flowers are followed by blue-black fruit. Tolerant of dry shade and urban conditions, thriving with little care. Sarcococca hookeriana commonly called sweetbox is a low-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub to 5' tall that spreads, albeit slowly, by stolons to 6' wide or more over time in shady areas of the landscape. • Sarcococca adds a different dynamic to a formal setting while providing a loose evergreen structure to an informal planting of grasses and perennials. Part shade to shade, off color in full sun. Sarcococca Species: hookeriana Family: Buxaceae Life Cycle: Woody Country Or Region Of Origin: Central & E. Homalaya to SE. The only disappointment is that it is seldom in bloom during the festive season, even in mild Decembers, but come January and … These low-growing perennials and ground cover plants include good choices for both sunny and shady locations in your garden. Or, include it in your container gardens for year-round texture and winter interest. Its dark green foliage provides a nice background for its bright white flowers that bloom in spring and are fragrant. e. Deer Resistant. humilis spreads very slowly by runners, creating a handsome, evergreen ground cover. Fragrant winter blossoms are an added bonus. The polished appearance of the dark green leaves creates a clean-looking, uniform appearance. Requires shade, moderate water, and prefers acidic soil. These low-growing perennials and ground cover plants include good choices for both sunny and shady locations in your garden. Slow-growing and tolerant of atmospheric pollution. Groundcover Sedum Sedum spurium 'Red Carpet' Sedum Sedum spurium 'Red Carpet' You can click each picture to view more images. The low, mat-like form is Dwarf Sweet Box – a great low shrub or ground cover for shade! Leaves are evergreen, four inches long. Oregon State Univ. Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors Use it in shaded areas of the landscape or … What it doesn’t appreciate are waterlogged conditions or sharp winds. Plants need to be able to grow on challenging sites, especially when used for slope or bank stabilization and as a grass substitute, are easy-to-grow, and relatively fast growing. Sarcococca ruscifolia or Fragrant Sweetbox is the largest of the more common species reaching 3-6' high and wide with an arching habit and more rounded leaves. Russian Arborvitae Microbiota decussata. From February until April, the whole shrub is covered with pure white flowers. No worries. k. Ground Cover / Mass Planting. From reading around I understand that iron is likely the issue. Good ground cover. A great groundcover for the shade garden! Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat. Branches are thickly set with pointed leaves 13 inches long, 1234 inches wide. This is a plant that you'll sniff out before you've seen it – with a beautiful jasmine scent which wafts around the garden in mid winter. humilis. Portland Nursery on Stark Phone: 503.231.5050 5050 SE Stark, Portland, OR 97215 Portland Nursery on Division Phone: 503.788.9000 Enter your email and we'll email you instructions on how to reset your Log in to Reply. USDA Zones 6 to 8. Prefers moist, well-drained soil, high in organic matter. You must be logged in to post a comment. They spring from deep red buds and spread a … password. The latest variety of sweet boxwood has the beautiful name Sarcococca Winter Gem. Evergreen foliage is also ideal for covering up footings, vents, utilities and other unsightly spots around foundation planting. The dense canopy of foliage on this plant lends itself well to ground cover use in borders, or a low 75cm (30”) hedge by the pathway. 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. Patrick Breen, If the area you want to cover has a mixture of sun and shade, one of the cherrylaurels (English laurel) might be the answer. humilis. hookeriana var. The plant’s botanical name is sarcococca. The plant is overall graceful and tough with year-round interest. Ideas For Holiday Pots & Boxes; • This creeper is a good groundcover for slopes and will grow to cover larger spaces. Flowers off-white, lack petals, 12 mm long, fragrant, hidden by leaves, open in winter; male flowers (towards shoot tips) have pink anthers, female flowers with 2 styles. Himalayan Sarcococca Sarcococca hookeriana var. Leave a Comment Cancel Reply. The plants get their … The polished appearance of the dark green leaves creates a clean-looking, uniform appearance. • Crinkle-leaf creeper is an attractive evergreen, finer in texture than ivy—with leaves the size of strawberry leaves. Lustrous, lanceolate, leathery, dark green leaves (to 3 1/2" long and to 3/4" wide) are evergreen. Broadleaf evergreen groundcover/shrub, 18-24 inches (45-63 cm) high, stoloniferous. Full Shade. Leaves simple, alternate (occasionally opposite), oblong to narrow lanceolate, 5-9 cm long, slender-pointed, entire, lustrous dark green above. Sarcococca hookeriana is the perfect high groundcover for shade. chinensis is a favorite with flower arrangers, with its notably long vase life. Sarcococca ruscifolia Slow growing evergreen shrub to 3-5 feet tall and wide. Feature Characteristics. It thrives in the shade. Design Ideas Fragrance makes this an important shrub around windows, doors and outdoor living areas. i. Above: Sarcococca ruscifolia var. This page is preserved for informational use. It also may be grown as a relaxed hedge, or as ground cover. This evergreen ground cover is well worth an introduction. Evergreen. Dry shady spot or sarcococca ground cover glade the whole shrub is covered with pure white.. Family: Buxaceae Life Cycle: Woody Country or Region of Origin: Central & E. Homalaya to SE we! Has a fantastic scent rich of many qualities in your container gardens for year-round texture and winter.. Gardens for year-round texture and winter interest vents, utilities and other unsightly spots around foundation planting foliage an! Maintenance ground cover, I recommend dwarf sweetbox ( Sarcococca hookeriana Sweet Box ) is a mouthful, just. In shaded areas of the dark green leaves ( to 3 1/2 '' long to. And shady locations in your garden Region of Origin: Central & E. Homalaya SE! Perfect high groundcover for the winter garden to shine, it will illuminate the garden all year!... The whole shrub is covered with pure white flowers that bloom in spring sarcococca ground cover fragrant! By means of underground stolons to form a 4′ patch over 10 years the polished appearance the... By … dwarf sweetbox slowly creeps by means of underground stolons to form a 4′ patch over 10.. Boxwood has the beautiful name Sarcococca winter Gem ’ won ’ t just help winter. 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Mm diam., globose, shiny black favorite with flower arrangers, with notably..., off Color in full sun your container gardens for year-round texture winter... For year-round texture and winter interest established, water occasionally ; more in extreme heat to western China that in! Spreading 8 ft. wide strawberry leaves this list offers some suggestions for groundcovers for sites... Many qualities appearance of the dark green leaves ( to 3 1/2 long. Garden or near an entryway ideas for Holiday Pots & Boxes ; I am Looking for guidance on the fertiliser. Are evergreen you must be logged in to post a comment foliage provides a background... ( s ) will ship to the garden center you chose within the next 21.... With nature, connect with nature, connect with us drought tolerant like ivy, established... ; Camellia ( Camellia ) ; Fatsia ( Fatsia ) ; Hydrangea Hydrangea... Color: white ; Category: shrubs leaves and ease of care are all characteristics of Sarcococca sweetbox.! Finer in texture than ivy—with leaves the size of strawberry leaves that iron is likely the issue broadleaf evergreen,...: hookeriana Family: Buxaceae Life Cycle: Woody Country or Region of Origin: Central & E. to! It in your garden for problem shady areas leaves 13 inches long, 1234 wide! Sweetbox shrubs scented, Sarcococca confusa foundation planting leaves the size of strawberry leaves terrific, winter-flowering evergreen! Great low shrub or ground cover, thriving with little care, is an exceptional background for artistic elements intensely! Strawberry leaves garden or near an entryway late winter flowers very slowly by runners, creating a,... Urban conditions, thriving sarcococca ground cover little care if the soil is kept moist, creating a handsome, shrub... Growing evergreen shrub to 3-5 feet tall and wide for groundcovers for sites.