Sarcocca hookeriana var humulis
Dwarf Sweet box, Christmas box
The genus Sarcocca is a group of 16 - 20 species of evergreen shrubs which grow long woody non branching stems from a woody base. The simple shaped leathery leaves and small very fragrant creamy white (sometimes pink tinged) flowers in late winter or spring. Red, purple or black berries follow. Their habitat ranges through Eastern and Southeastern Asia, China and the Himalayas.
The genus name Sarcocca is derived from the Greek Sarkos meaning flesh and kokkos meaning berry referring to the fleshy fruits. Hookeriana honours Sir Joseph Hooker Director of Kew Gardens.
S.hookeriana var humulis is a compact evergreen shrub growing up to 1 metre, sending up new woody unbranched stems from the woody base each year. Older stems will grow a few branched stems. Neat, glossy, bright dark green, leathery leaves are set alternatively along the stems making an attractive evergreen shrub.
Clusters of creamy white very fragrant flowers appear in the leaf axils. These flowers have very narrow strap like petals and crimson anthers flowering in mid to late winter followed by black berries.
Growing this shrub is easy. It likes well drained good soil in a shady position or damp locations in full sun. The leaves will turn yellowish in full sun. In winter the fragrance fills the air. It is pest and disease free.
Pruning is easy. Every few years cut off all the stems to ground level in spring and they will quickly grow again. In a more controlled garden prune off about 30% of the older stems each year at ground level. Some people advocate trimming growth back with hedge shears but that is not recommended.
It is very easy to propagate from seed with many germinating underneath the adult plant.
S.hookeriana var humulis was collected by Wilson, a great plant collector, in Sikkim in the Himalayas in 1848/49 and it was introduced into cultivation by the famous nursery Messrs Veitch in 1907.
There are a few cultivars that have been chosen and offered for sale in the UK.
Sarcocca hookeriana var humulis ‘Winter Gem’ which has deep red buds, lovely scent and is quite compact.
Sarcocca hookeriana var humulis ‘Fragrant Valley’ Early white flowers with longer leaves.
The genus Sarcocca is a group of 16 - 20 species of evergreen shrubs which grow long woody non branching stems from a woody base. The simple shaped leathery leaves and small very fragrant creamy white (sometimes pink tinged) flowers in late winter or spring. Red, purple or black berries follow. Their habitat ranges through Eastern and Southeastern Asia, China and the Himalayas.
The genus name Sarcocca is derived from the Greek Sarkos meaning flesh and kokkos meaning berry referring to the fleshy fruits. Hookeriana honours Sir Joseph Hooker Director of Kew Gardens.
S.hookeriana var humulis is a compact evergreen shrub growing up to 1 metre, sending up new woody unbranched stems from the woody base each year. Older stems will grow a few branched stems. Neat, glossy, bright dark green, leathery leaves are set alternatively along the stems making an attractive evergreen shrub.
Clusters of creamy white very fragrant flowers appear in the leaf axils. These flowers have very narrow strap like petals and crimson anthers flowering in mid to late winter followed by black berries.
Growing this shrub is easy. It likes well drained good soil in a shady position or damp locations in full sun. The leaves will turn yellowish in full sun. In winter the fragrance fills the air. It is pest and disease free.
Pruning is easy. Every few years cut off all the stems to ground level in spring and they will quickly grow again. In a more controlled garden prune off about 30% of the older stems each year at ground level. Some people advocate trimming growth back with hedge shears but that is not recommended.
It is very easy to propagate from seed with many germinating underneath the adult plant.
S.hookeriana var humulis was collected by Wilson, a great plant collector, in Sikkim in the Himalayas in 1848/49 and it was introduced into cultivation by the famous nursery Messrs Veitch in 1907.
There are a few cultivars that have been chosen and offered for sale in the UK.
Sarcocca hookeriana var humulis ‘Winter Gem’ which has deep red buds, lovely scent and is quite compact.
Sarcocca hookeriana var humulis ‘Fragrant Valley’ Early white flowers with longer leaves.