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(Sarcococca hookeriana)
Himalayan Sweet Box (Sarcococca hookeriana)
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Megan Hansen
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Megan Hansen
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Megan Hansen | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: MeganEHansen | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Sarcococca hookeriana, commonly known as Himalayan Sweet Box, is an evergreen shrub native to the understory of temperate Himalayan and China forests, including both broadleaf and coniferous woodlands. It typically grows to a modest size of 12–24 inches (30–61 cm) high, with a similar spread. The plant is characterized by its glossy, dark green leaves and small, highly fragrant white flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring, providing a rare source of winter scent in the garden. Following the flowering period, it produces shiny black berries that can add visual interest.
Himalayan Sweet Box is valued for its sweetly scented flowers and its ability to thrive in challenging garden spots with low light. It is an excellent choice for ground cover, urban gardens, and shaded borders. The cultivar ‘Purple Stem’ is particularly noted for its attractive purple-tinged stems and has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This shrub is fully hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), but it benefits from a sheltered position to protect its delicate flowers from harsh winter winds. It prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and can tolerate a range of soil pH levels. While generally low-maintenance, it can suffer from scale insects and leaf spot diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0
Himalayan Sweet Box is valued for its sweetly scented flowers and its ability to thrive in challenging garden spots with low light. It is an excellent choice for ground cover, urban gardens, and shaded borders. The cultivar ‘Purple Stem’ is particularly noted for its attractive purple-tinged stems and has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This shrub is fully hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), but it benefits from a sheltered position to protect its delicate flowers from harsh winter winds. It prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and can tolerate a range of soil pH levels. While generally low-maintenance, it can suffer from scale insects and leaf spot diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
native to the understory of temperate Himalayan and China forests, including both broadleaf and coniferous woodlands
Other Names
Common Names: Sweetbox
Scientific Names: , Sarcococca hookeriana, Sarcococca pruniformis var. hookeriana,
GBIF Accepted Name: Sarcococca hookeriana Baill.