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Sarcococca coriacea (Sweet box)

Other names: Sarcococca brevifolia, Sarcococca vagans, Sarcococca pruniformis, Sarcococca tonkinensis, Pachysandra coriacea, Buxus cariacea, Sarcococca trinervia

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Species
S. coriacea is a thicket-forming, somewhat variable, evergreen shrub with arching to semi-arching stems bearing glossy, broadly elliptic to broadly lance-shaped, dark green leaves and, in late winter or early spring, spikes of small, clustered, fragrant, cream to yellow-green flowers followed by dark purple fruit.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
2 m 2 m 5-10 years
6 ft 6 ft 5-10 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well drained soil in deep or partial shade in a sheltered position. Tolerates full sun if the soil remains moist during summer. Tolerates pollution, neglect, and dry shade.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Woodland, Containers/Patio, Wildlife, Beds and borders, Hedging/Screens

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Suckering, Arching

Native to

Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant.

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 8. After flowering, trim or prune back any shoots that spoil shape.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Honey fungus

Prune out unsightly shoots only (only when needed)

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant trees and shrubs in moist but well-drained soil (autumn)

Plant in partial or full shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (19)

Sarcococca

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Sarcococca (any variety)
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Sarcococca (any variety) Sweet box (any variety)
Sarcococca orientalis
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Sarcococca orientalis Sarcococca orientalis
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem'
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' Sweet box 'Purple Stem'
Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis
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Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis Fragrant sarcococca
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis Dwarf sweet box
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Sweet box
Sarcococca confusa
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Sarcococca confusa Sweet box
Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem'
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Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' Sweet box 'Winter Gem'
Sarcococca hookeriana 'Purple Gem'
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Sarcococca hookeriana 'Purple Gem' Sweet box 'Purple Gem'
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis 'Fragrant Mountain'
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis 'Fragrant Mountain' Dwarf sweet box 'Fragrant Mountain'
Sarcococca saligna
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Sarcococca saligna Willow-leaf sweet box
Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis 'Dragon Gate'
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Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis 'Dragon Gate' Fragrant sarcococca 'Dragon Gate'
Sarcococca hookeriana var. hookeriana 'Ghorepani'
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. hookeriana 'Ghorepani' Sweet box 'Ghorepani'
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Crinkle leaf
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Crinkle leaf Sweet box Crinkle leaf
Sarcococca ruscifolia
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Sarcococca ruscifolia Fragrant sarcococca
Sarcococca balansae
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Sarcococca balansae Balan's sweet box
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis 'Fragrant Valley™'
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis 'Fragrant Valley™' Dwarf sweet box 'Fragrant Valley™'
Sarcococca hookeriana
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Sarcococca hookeriana Sweet box
Sarcococca coriacea
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Sarcococca coriacea Sweet box
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Companion plants (0)

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