Species sweet box

sweet box

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

Sweet Box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis) is a wonderfully fragrant evergreen shrub with a sturdy upright growth habit and dense glossy foliage. Opposite dark green leaves are slightly cupped and taper to delicately toothed margins. Its clustered white flowers bloom in late winter and early spring, followed later on by spherical fruits with a blackish hue. This compact variety of Sarcoccoca is also highly tolerant of shade and a variety of soil types hence making it a perfect low-maintenance shrub for any garden. Sweet Box is the perfect addition to the garden for fragrant blooms, nutrient-rich fruits, and its vibrant green foliage.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

part shade,full sun,part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Alkaline, Well-drained

Fruits:

black Fruits In Autumn Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Water your plant deeply, once a week or every other week. During the summer months, when temperatures are higher and the soil dries out more quickly, you may need to water more frequently. Make sure to check the soil before each watering and never allow the plant to sit in waterlogged soil.

sunlight

Sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis) grows best in an area with light to part shade exposure. For this plant species, it is recommended to give it at least 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. Morning sun is best since it won’t be as intense. Avoid direct afternoon sunlight which can be too harsh for this plant species. Sweet box can tolerate some shade but too much shade may result in fewer blooms and a weaker overall plant. In general, sweet box should receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.

pruning

Sweet box should be pruned once a year in late spring or early summer after the plant has finished flowering. Prune the old stems back by about a third of their length, or more if they become overgrown. This will encourage new growth and help maintain the natural shape of the plant. Remove any stray or crossed branches, dead or diseased wood as well as any suckers that may appear. Prune the top of the sweet box to control its height and shape to the desired size and shape.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis is in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Sweet box typically starts flowering in late winter or early spring, usually between February and April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis is in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Hardiness Map