Download Sarcococca humilis - Woodinville Water District

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis
(sar-ko-KOKE-uh
HOOK-er-ee-ah-nah
HYOO-mih-liss)
Dwarf Sweet Box
Evergreen Shrub
1’ tall x 3’wide
Low Water in Shade
Full to Part Shade
USDA Zones 6 to 9
Low Sweet Box has narrow pointed leaves are glossy and dark green. It has upright, slightly
arching branches with a spreading habit. Eventually it will produce suckers and stolons to form
a restrained groundcover in shady spots. Like other sarcococcas, it produces tiny white tubular
flowers in January and February with a vanilla-like fragrance so sweet as to be intoxicating.
Tiny purple-black berries follow the flowers.
Sweet box grows best in full to part shade, in humus-rich, fertile soil. Once established, it
tolerates dry soil fairly well, as long as it is not in full sun.. Full sun can scorch the leaves
Pruning easily controls its size and shape.
It thrives in any shady spot, and makes a great choice for planting under the eaves or any other
dark dry location. It should be placed near a walkway or the front entrance where passersby are
sure to enjoy its winter fragrance. Sweet box can also be used as a hedge.
Photos courtesy of Oregon State University
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/Idplants/sahoh2.htm
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/sahoh4.htm