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Sarcococca hookeriana (Sweet box)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sarcococca hookeriana
Other names
Sweet box, Sarcococca coriacea, Himalayan sweet box
Genus
Sarcococca Sarcococca
Species
S. hookeriana - S. hookeriana is a suckering, thicket-forming, evergreen shrub with oblong to lance-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant, white flowers in winter followed by glossy, spherical, black or blue-black fruit.
Sarcococca hookeriana is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Suckering
Flower
White in Winter
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8. After flowering, trim or prune back any shoots that spoil shape.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Sarcococca hookeriana (Sweet box) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Woodland, Foliage only, Drought Tolerant
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in deep or partial shade in a sheltered position. Tolerates full sun if the soil remains moist during summer. Tolerates pollution, drought, and neglect.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Sarcococca hookeriana
Other names
Sweet box, Sarcococca coriacea, Himalayan sweet box
Genus
Sarcococca Sarcococca
Species
S. hookeriana - S. hookeriana is a suckering, thicket-forming, evergreen shrub with oblong to lance-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant, white flowers in winter followed by glossy, spherical, black or blue-black fruit.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Suckering
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Colour
Flower
White in Winter
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8. After flowering, trim or prune back any shoots that spoil shape.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Sarcococca hookeriana (Sweet box) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Woodland, Foliage only, Drought Tolerant
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in deep or partial shade in a sheltered position. Tolerates full sun if the soil remains moist during summer. Tolerates pollution, drought, and neglect.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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