Sarcococca confusa
Garden Plant Information

Sarcococca confusa

 

Sarcococca confusa

 

Name

Sarcococca confusa (also called sweet box and Christmas box)

Genus  

Sarcococca

Species

confusa

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

Evergreen shrub grown for fragrant winter flowers and glossy foliage. To appreciate the sweet scent of the flowers plant where the perfume will gather - near windows and doorways. This plant is reputed to tolerate pollution, dry shade and neglect. Low maintenance.

Season of interest

All year round. Flowers in winter followed by spherical fruits.

Key horticultural features

  1. Dense, bushy habit. H: up to 2m, S: up to 1m.

  2. Leaves – simple, lanceolate, dark green, glossy.

  3. Stem – smooth, round, mid-green.

  4. Flowers – small, creamy, grow from leaf axils in loose bunches, opening into slightly untidy narrow-petalled flowers, intensely perfumed. Flowers are followed by spherical, glossy, black berries.

Cultural details

Aspect

Partial to deep shade. Plant in moist soil if in full sun.

Soil

Moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Hardiness

Hardy.

Maintenance

After flowering, trim back to keep the desired shape and apply a mulch of well rotted compost.

 

Generally pest and disease free.

Propagation

By semi-ripe cuttings in summer.