▷ Sarcococca cultivation and care: advice on the scented plant

THE Sarcococcaalso known as Christmas box or Sweet boxit is a shrub compact evergreen much appreciated for its leathery and decorative foliage and for its extraordinary scent of winter flowers. The small light flowers, discreet but intensely aromatic, bloom between winter and spring and then leave room for ornamental berries brightly colored: purple, red or black.

In this period Sarcococca is at its most beautiful, so much so that it was impossible not to tell you about it! Let’s discover these little scented pearls of the garden together!

THE Sarcococca they are plants easy to growresistant and not very subject to diseases or parasites. They adapt well to many environmental conditions and are also ideal for those with little experience with plants. Let’s now look at them in detail main species and varieties of Sarcococcawith characteristics, uses and rusticity.

Species / Varieties	Height x width	Bearing	Leaves	Flowering	Perfume	Berries	Rusticity	Ideal use
Sarcococca confusion	1-1.5m x 1-1.5m (up to 2m)	Compact, bushy shrub	Ovate, shiny dark green	Winter (white)	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Red -> black	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Up to -15°C)	Low hedges, stains, shade
Sarcococca hookeriana “Valle Perfumata”	0.5-1m x 1-1.5m	Low, widened	bright green	Winter	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Red -> blue – black	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (-15 / –10°C)	Borders, ground cover, flower beds
Sarcococca hookeriana “Winter Gem”	0.5-1m x 0.5-1m	Compact and dense	Dark green	Winter	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Red -> black	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (-15 / –10°C)	Vase, small spaces, shadow
Sarcococca ruscifolia	0.5-1m x 0.5-1m	Rounded	Ovate, shiny	Winter	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Red -> black	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (-15 / –10°C)	Borders, ground cover
Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis “Dragon’s Gate”	1-1.5 m x 1 m	Elegant, tidy	Elongated, very shiny	Winter	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Red	⭐⭐⭐ (-10 / –5°C)	Vase, low hedges, terraces
Sarcococca saligna	0.5-1m x 0.5-1m	Expanded	Narrow, lanceolate	Winter	⭐⭐⭐	Dark purple	⭐⭐⭐ (-10 / –5°C)	Borders, sheltered areas

THE Sarcococca it is a fragrant evergreen shrub, perfect for shaded gardens, terraces and balconies. Easy to grow, resistant and not very prone to problems, it is an ideal choice even for those with little experience. Let’s find out together how to grow Sarcococcafrom position to pruning.

Where to place the Sarcococca

Sarcococca is a perfect plant for dimly lit areasas it grows very well in partial or full shade. It also adapts to brighter exposures, as long as the soil remains constantly moist, although in full sun the foliage may lose some chromatic intensity.

👉 Direct exposure to the sun is only possible in the cold months; during the summer it is better to avoid it.

Sarcococca: minimum temperature and cold resistance

Sarcococca is a plant very rustic and tolerates temperatures up to –10°C / –15°Cdepending on the variety.

If grown outdoors, it is advisable mulch the soil during the harshest winters to protect the root system from frost.

How often to wet the Sarcococca

Sarcococca requires moderate wateringalways taking seasonal rains into account.

In vase or in the housecheck the humidity of the substrate with your finger: when the first centimeters are dry, it is time to water abundantly.
Young plants tolerate short periods of drought, but maintaining soil is best for healthy growth slightly moist.

Which soil to use for Sarcococci

The ideal soil for Sarcococca must be:

Moderately fertile
Rich in humus
Well draining

For pot cultivation, they are excellent substrates such as One and One+.
In open ground, if necessary, you can improve the soil by adding humus or peat.

How to fertilize Sarcococca

Fertilize the Sarcococca with a slow release fertilizer in March, June and September, so the plant will grow vigorously and even more fragrant!

How to propagate Sarcococca

Sarcococca can be propagated by seed or by cutting.

Propagation from seed

Sowing outdoors in autumn or spring.
At home you can start already late winter.
Use fertile soil rich in organic matter.
Maintain the substrate humid until germination.

Propagation from semi-woody cutting

Take long cuttings 12–15 cm with more leaves.
Remove the lower leaves and, if possible, use a rooting hormone.
Place the cuttings in pots with a substrate rich and draining.

When to transplant Sarcococca

Sarcococca loves rich soil: this is why it is recommended repot it every 2 yearsso as to prevent stagnation, rot or the development of fungi. Be careful when changing from one pot size to a slightly larger one or you risk overpotting!

How to prune Sarcococca

Pruning is mainly useful for maintain shape and order.
The best time to prune is in springonce flowering has finished.

Sarcococca parasites

Sarcococca is a plant naturally resistant to parasites and diseases. Any problems are rare and almost always linked to excess water or poorly draining soil.

Description of Sarcococca

THE Sarcococca it is an evergreen shrub much appreciated for its decorative foliage and for his intensely scented flowers. It is a robust plant, characterized by leathery, shiny leaves and small creamy-white flowers that bloom in winter and early spring. In summer, the flowers give way to ornamental berries red, black or purple, extremely persistent: they often remain on the plant until the following winter.

The leaves are generally alternate (rarely opposite) and vary in shape from lanceolate All’ovate and ellipticalgiving the plant an elegant and tidy appearance.

Sarcococca flowers

Sarcococca flowers are small (approx 5 mm), scented, devoid of petals and variable in color from white to light green. They grow in small groups along the leaf axis.

I male flowers they have evident anthers.
I female flowers they develop under the male ones in the same inflorescence.

Despite being discreet from an aesthetic point of view, these flowers release a intense and sweet aromacapable of scenting entire areas of the garden, especially when the plants are grown in groups.

Habit and growth

Sarcococca is a shrub monoecious, evergreen and slow growingwhich it generally achieves 1–2 meters tall. The compact and tidy shape makes it ideal for borders, low hedges and shaded areas.

Taxonomic description of Sarcococca

The genre Sarcococca includes approx 11 species of evergreen shrubs, sometimes rhizomatous bushes.

Family: Buxaceae

Natural habitat of Sarcococca

Sarcococca originates fromEast and South-East Asia and the regions ofHimalayaswhere it grows spontaneously in forest environments, often shaded and cool.