Sarcococca hookeriana Seeds | Sweet Box
LATIN NAME: Sarcococca hookeriana
COMMON NAME: Sweet Box
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Sweet Box, Sarcococca hookeriana is a shrub in the box family. Sweet box holds its glossy, dark-green leaves and small, white, very fragrant flowers in leaf axils, and the whole shrub stands in the neat, evergreen clumps. It is a shrub of open, shady, deep, moist, well-drained ground. While it flowers, it feeds a quiet procession of bees and hoverflies. For the gardener, the sum of these traits is a plant that is easy to live with.
Science & Biotechnology
Sarcococca hookeriana sits in the box family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Modern propagation practice has made this species straightforward to raise by ordinary good methods.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Sweet Box has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Sweet box is a fine, quiet shrub of cool garden and study collection. It is a fine, quiet shrub of open, shady, deep, moist, well-drained garden. Give young plants shady, moist bed, and fragrant flowers will come through late winter. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.
Sweet box perfumes late winter shade with tiny vanilla-scented flowers; it is one of the finest evergreen groundcovers for dark corners.
Growing from Seed
Starting Sweet Box from seed is simple and satisfying. A simple routine works well: sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, maintain even moisture, and provide bright light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
As a shrub, it settles into a routine quickly once established. Plant it in sun with drainage to its liking and the rest is easy.
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