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Photo of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna flower, foliage, form by peganum

Photo by peganumView Original Photo

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Photo of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna close-up, flower, foliage by Wouter Hagens

Photo of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna flower, foliage by Wouter Hagens

Photo of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna flower, foliage by Sten Porse

Photo of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna flower, foliage by plant lust

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna

Also Known As

Sarcococca digyna
Sarcococca hookeriana humilis
Sarcococca hookeriana var. 'Humilis'
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis
Sarcococca humilis
Dwarf Sweetbox
Himalayan Sarcococca
Himalayan Sweet Box
Sweet Box
Sweetbox

Plant type

shrub, groundcover

size

H: 12"-18"
W: 36"-72"

planting zones

6a-10b

More Options

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna plant details

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna is a moderate-growing broadleaf evergreen groundcover shrub with green foliage. In spring and winter white flowers emerge followed by black fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - shade and regular - occasional water. Does well in alkaline, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something pollution tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna

Plant type: groundcover shrub
Plant family: buxaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 36 IN - 72 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and winter
Uses: border plant, container plant, cutting garden, fragrant, winter interest, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - shade
Watering frequency: regular - occasional
Resistant to: deer, pollution
Soil needs: alkaline, average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A bit hardier than the species, the narrower glossy leaves of this slender low-grower to 2-3' add a new texture as well; the small but ever-so-fragrant spring flowers are just as delicious and are followed by decorative shiny-black berries; over time this beauty will form a dense 4' patch. Sh-PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Excellent ground cover with dark green leaves. Fragrant, white flowers are followed by blue-black berries. Deer resistant. Thrives in any type of soil but not too dry. Himalayan Sweet Box is often used as a groundcover and is also useful for erosion control. Excellent for edging and rock gardens.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Small white blossoms offers the gift of fragrance in late-late winter and early spring. A low broadleaf evergreen shrub, it grows 1+2' tall and spreads by stolons

By: Avant Gardens

Small evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and, in January, tiny white, thread-like flowers that give a wonderfully spicy aroma to the winter air. To only 12-14?? inches tall, these small shrubs spread slowing adding more stems for more flowers and more wonderful winter aromas and more of the distinctive, round black fruit. A must have for the shady garden with rich soil and a little summer water. Extremely choice. Frost hardy to -10F, USDA zone 6.

By: Cistus Nursery

A dense, evergreen shrub that spreads by stolons. Leaves are a dark glossy green and the small white, late winter to early spring flowers are sweetly fragrant. Growth Rate slow

By: Garden World

As a low informal hedge or evergreen by your entrance, this dwarf unassuming evergreen will captivate you with a pervasive perfume in the early spring. Black fruit later in the season.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A low-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub to that spreads slowly by stolons to 6' wide or more over time in shady areas. Leathery, lustrous dark evergreen leaves (to 3 1/2" long and to 3/4" wide) set off small (1/2" long) white flowers. They bloom in the leaf axils in March-April and are very fragrant. Female flowers give way to round shiny, black fruits (drupes to 1/3" wide). Native to western Himalayas and China. Does best in organically rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade with consistent moisture. Leaves lose luster in full sun. Established plants have some drought tolerance. Cold hardiness for var. humilis is good (-10 F).

By: Deer Country Gardens

This superb Himalayan denizen brings evergreen elegance and heavenly winter fragrance to a shady locale. Crafting a low well-groomed textural ground cover, slowly creeping stolons sprout 18 in. stems clad in lustrous dark green narrow leaves. Copious, tiny white flowers and round blue-black fruit heighten allure. Tailor-made for hedging, entrance ways or the woodland garden, Dwarf Sweetbox keeps deer at bay, appreciates regular watering, and an annual shearing to maintain its dashing appearance.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

Very small spreading evergreen shrub with fragrant white blooms in late winter. Leaves are lustrous and dark green. Spreads very slowly by stolons but is easily contained. 12" tall and spreading 24" in ten years. Top height is 18-24" but usually less. Can take deep shade. Recommended by: the United States National Arboretum.

By: Fantastic Plants

Lustrous dark evergreen foliage with clusters of fragrant white flowers in later winter to early spring followed by 1/2" round black fruit. Makes a lush filler or medium height groundcover, spreading by underground runners with restrained slow to moderate growth. Takes shearing. Sarcoccoca are without peer for growing, blooming and fruiting in deep shade. AKA, Himalayan Sarcococca.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Another fabulous evergreen groundcover for deep shade. It blooms in mid winter with tiny but very fragrant white flowers. Delicious smell on a raw winter day.

By: Specialty Ornamentals

A neat, compact, evergreen shrub that grows 1-2' high and is great for a ground cover or underplanting. It will spread via underground runners to 8' or more. It bears fragrant white flowers and glossy black fruit. One of the best evergreens for dry and shaded areas of the garden.