Sarcococca confusa

Description

Sarcococca confusa is a fabulous plant with a crazy name, sometimes called ‘Christmas Box’, it’s not actually related to Box either, so we just call it Sarcococca confusa and we’re definitely not confused about this plant – it is extremely valuable. Probably one plant that everybody should have in their garden somewhere. Sarcococca confusa has dainty, dark green oval, glossy leaves so looking similar to Box, only with larger leaves. It can be clipped and shaped into whatever form you wish, be it a low hedge or architectural feature. It’s incredibly hardy, tolerant of deep shade, always looking green and glossy but for me the overhwelming feature of Sarcococca confusa is during winter, all along the stems, tiny white thread-like flowers are produced, each emitting the most incredible fragrance, perfuming the winter garden. Introduced from China during the late 19th Century, Sarcococca confusa features in the gardens of many old English stately homes where mature specimins have been enjoyed by gardeners and home owners alike.

• Foliage:Evergreen.
• Habit:Bushy.
• Fragrance:Flower.
• Hardiness:Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10).
• Aspect:South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing.
• Exposure:Sheltered, partial to deep shade.
• Eventual Size:1.5m
• Soil:Moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Other features:White flowers are followed by round black berries