Fragrant Sweet Box

Sarcococca ruscifolia

Pronunciation: sar-ko-KOHK-a rus-si-FOH-li-a
SKU #07051
7-9

Your climate might be too cold for this plant:

Change Location
A beautiful shrub for shady areas! White spring flowers are small, but very fragrant. Blooms are followed by bright red ornamental fruit. Forms natural espalier against a wall. An outstanding choice for dry shade gardens where other plants won't grow! Evergreen.
LIGHT: Full shade
WATER: Once established, water occasionally.
SIZE: Slowly reaches 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide.

Retailers Near You

No Retailers found within 50 miles of your zipcode

This Plant's Growing Zones: 7-9

USDA Cold Hardiness Zone Map

Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:

Your climate may be too cold for this plant

Change Location
Bloom TimeEarly spring
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesImproved Pest and Disease Resistance, Showy Fruit, Waterwise
Problems/SolutionsDeer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Dry Shade
Growth RateSlow
Growth HabitRounded
Flower AttributesFragrant
Landscape UseBorder, Espalier, Hedge, Ground Cover
Design IdeasFragrance makes this an important shrub around windows, doors and outdoor living areas. Evergreen foliage is also ideal for covering up footings, vents, utilities and other unsightly spots around foundation planting. Deep green foliage is an exceptional background for artistic elements or intensely colored perennials. A great choice for shaded areas between buildings or where influence of large old shade or street trees limit plant choices to shade tolerant species.
Flower ColorWhite
Foliage ColorGreen
Companion PlantsHydrangea (Hydrangea); Camellia (Camellia); Astilbe (Astilbe); Yew (Taxus); Azalea (Azalea)
Care InstructionsProvide fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Apply fertilizer in early spring. For a tidy appearance, prune annually to shape.
LoreThe fact that this species is polyembryonic, with up to seven embryos in one seed. It was first thought to be the result of atomic bomb radiation, but was proved later that the anomaly began before 1923 and therefore was a natural mutation.
Details
Bloom TimeEarly spring
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesImproved Pest and Disease Resistance, Showy Fruit, Waterwise
Problems/SolutionsDeer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Dry Shade
Growth RateSlow
Growth HabitRounded
Flower AttributesFragrant
Style
Landscape UseBorder, Espalier, Hedge, Ground Cover
Design IdeasFragrance makes this an important shrub around windows, doors and outdoor living areas. Evergreen foliage is also ideal for covering up footings, vents, utilities and other unsightly spots around foundation planting. Deep green foliage is an exceptional background for artistic elements or intensely colored perennials. A great choice for shaded areas between buildings or where influence of large old shade or street trees limit plant choices to shade tolerant species.
Flower ColorWhite
Foliage ColorGreen
Companion PlantsHydrangea (Hydrangea); Camellia (Camellia); Astilbe (Astilbe); Yew (Taxus); Azalea (Azalea)
Care
Care InstructionsProvide fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Apply fertilizer in early spring. For a tidy appearance, prune annually to shape.
History
LoreThe fact that this species is polyembryonic, with up to seven embryos in one seed. It was first thought to be the result of atomic bomb radiation, but was proved later that the anomaly began before 1923 and therefore was a natural mutation.

Retailers Near You

No Retailers found within 50 miles of your zipcode

About Us

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly

100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.