Sarcococca Gardening Tips

Sarcococca is a genus of flowering plants in family Buxaceae, containing about 16-20 species. It is native to eastern and southeastern Asia and the Himalaya. It has common names like Christmas Box and Sweet Box. Sarcococcca is a slow growing, evergreen shrub of 1-2 m tall. Its leaves are alternate, 3-12 cm long and 1-4 cm broad. Flowers which are fragrant are usually borne in winter. The fruit is a red or black drupe containing 1-3 seeds.

Sarcococca can be grown in mixed or shrub borders, and some species are cultivated for ground cover in shady areas. Sarcococca can tolerate pollution.

Sarcococca confusa, 1.5 x 1 m, has glossy, dark green leaves and bears very fragrant cream-white flowers in winter, which are followed by glossy black fruits. S. hookeriana is a suckering shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white winter flowers.

Sarcococca perfers shady area, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed in spring or autumn; or semi-ripe cuttings in late autumn.

Sarcococca hookeriana
Author: KENPEI (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)

Sarcococca humilis
Author: Siebrand (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)

Sarcococca ruscifolia
Author: A. Barra (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported)

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