Sarcococca confusa
(Christmas Box)
Family - Buxaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - uncertain, but most likely Western China
Discovered By - Collected by Ernest Wilson
Year of Introduction - 1916
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H5
Height - 1.2m
Width - 1m
Location - The Spring Garden, The Stumpery
Description: A small, Evergreen Shrub with a bushy, suckering habit. Glossy, dark leaves are ovate to Elliptic in shape with pointed tips and have a leathery texture. Highly fragrant, creamy white flowers are produced in clusters along the stems from mid to late winter. The flowers are followed by round, red berries that turn black as they mature.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Additional common name - Sweet Box
Flower:
Monoecious. Small, creamy white, petalless flowers in clusters are produced in January and February. The male flowers are very highly scented. The female flowers are produced on the same plant, but separately and are followed by round, glossy red berries that turn black as they mature.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Apetalous flowers in clusters
Flowering time: January, February
Foliage:
Leathery, dark green leaves are ovate to Elliptic in shape with pointed tips. The leaves are Alternately arranged along the stems.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Elliptic to ovate
Propagation:
Cuttings, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in a shady position in fertile, well drained soil.