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    • Photo of Sarcococca orientalis foliage by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Sarcococca orientalis

    Also Known As

    • Chinese Sweetbox

    Plant type

    shrub

    size

    • H: 3'-5'
    • W: 3'-7'

    planting zones

    • 6a-10b

    More Options

    Sarcococca orientalis plant details

    Sarcococca orientalis is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In winter white flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in alkaline, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and pollution tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Sarcococca orientalis

    Plant type: shrub
    Plant family: buxaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 3 FT - 7 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
    Flowers: white blooms in winter
    Uses: border plant, fragrant, mass-planting, winter interest, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Sarcococca orientalis

    USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
    Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and pollution
    Soil needs: alkaline, average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    2'-3' evergreen shrub. The flowers are tiny white in January. In fall, the black fruit appear.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Our selection of this exceedingly handsome, 4 ft, rather dense, evergreen shrub with 2" x 1" leaves set amid the layered branches, each festooned with flowers up to 1/3" from mid-fall to through late winter. Wonderfully fragrant. We have found this plant to be one of the most fully evergreen and rewarding of the genus. A great addition under other shrubs in nearly full shade to bright light, but best out of hottest afternoon sun in warm climates. Regular summer water and average fertilizing. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Such a great Genus for year-round beauty in shade! Glossy evergreen leaves are dense on a symmetrical, rounded shrub 2-4’ tall (often wider than it is tall). Intoxicatingly fragrant white flowers in late winter perfume the air for a great distance. Needs little care, tolerant of dry shade, root competition. Great foundation plant, easy to grow. One of the hardiest Sarcos!

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    All the Sarcococcas are great. This one has a slightly larger dark green leaf, stands a little taller, suckers a bit, loves deep dry shade, blooms in very early spring, and smells divine when flowering.

    By: Specialty Ornamentals

    Gardening facts about Sarcococca orientalis plant

    How to Grow Sarcococca orientalis

    • Sun Exposure

      • bright shade - shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - occasional

    • Soil Needs

      • alkaline
      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • pollution tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • white

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • winter

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Sarcococca for your garden

    Sarcococca ruscifolia

    aka Fragrant Sweet Box, Fragrant Sweetbox, Sweet Box

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    5a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-6'

    Width: 3'-5'

    • bright shade - shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Sarcococca ruscifolia by Grace Peterson
    View Plant

    Sarcococca ruscifolia 'Dragon Gate'

    aka Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis 'Dragon Gate'

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-4'

    Width: 3'-5'

    • sun - shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Sarcococca ruscifolia 'Dragon Gate' fruit by Cistus Nursery
    View Plant

    Sarcococca vagans [BSWJ 7285]

    aka Sarcococca balansae, Sarcococca balansae [BSWJ 7285], Sarcococca vanas, Sweet Box

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8b-10b

    Size

    Height: 5'-6'

    Width: 5'-6'

    • sun - shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Sarcococca vagans [BSWJ 7285] foliage by Cistus Nursery
    View Plant

    Sarcococca saligna

    aka Sarcococca salicifolia, Sweet Box, Sweet Box

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'-5'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • sun - shade
    • regular - occasional
    Photo of Sarcococca saligna foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna [Purple Stem]

    aka Sarcococca 'Digyna', Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem', Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis [Purple Stem], Dwarf Purple Stem Sweetbox, Purple Stem Sweet Box

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Groundcover

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna [Purple Stem] flower, foliage, stem by peganum
    View Plant

    More Options

    +9 more Sarcococca
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