Himalayan Sarcococca

Sarcococca hookeriana (sar-ko-KOCK-a hook-er-e-A-na variety dy-JY-nah)

Family: Buxaceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

The Himalayan sweet box is a dwarf, compact, low-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Buxaceae or boxwood family. It spreads by underground stems to form a colony. The shrub has fragrant creamy white blooms in late winter to early spring that hide under foliage. The leaves are glossy, leathery, lanceolate, and dark green with sharp tips. Showy black fruits appear after the flowers fade. This shrub is native to the western Himalayas and China. The genus name, Sarcocococca , is Greek from the word sarkos, which means "flesh" and kokkos, which means "berry." Humilis is Latin for "low-growing." The epithet, hookeriana , is named in honor of Sir Joseph Hooker. The Himalayan sweet box prefers part shade to full shade, rich, moist, well-drained, and acidic soils. The full sun causes the leaves to lose their luster, but the plant is tolerant of the full sun when accompanied by moist soil. Plants, that have been well established, appear to be more drought tolerant. Pruning is needed in the spring after blooming to maintain the shrub's shape. The Himalayan sweet box is a tough plant and can be used in deeply shady areas, particularly under trees. It may also be used as a border or low hedge. The shrub would be lovely in groups as a filler or background, in a woodland garden setting, or a naturalized landscape. Seasons of Interest: Bloom: Late Winter or Early Spring Foliage: Year-round Fruits: Summer and Fall Quick ID Hints: c ompact, low-growing, dense, broadleaf evergreen, measuring 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide leaves are narrow, simple, alternate, sharp tips, entire margins, shiny dark green above, and paler on the undersides fragrant, small creamy-white flowers without petals, blooming in late winter or early spring small, shiny, oval red drupes that turn black as they mature green stems are foul-smelling when bruised Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This shrub has no serious insect or disease problems. It may be susceptible to boxwood blight. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Sarcococca hookeriana .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 56 attributes.