Sarcococca ruscifolia (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Dappled to full shade
Flowering period: Late winter
Soil: Moist but well drained
Eventual Height: 90cm
Eventual Spread: 1.2m
Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Buxaceae
Sarcococca ruscifolia is a slow growing, evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are ovate to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 5.5cm long and 2.5cm broad. Its fragrant white flowers are produced in the axils of the leaves. The female flowers are produced below the male flowers. The female flowers are then followed by fleshy red berries which are up to 5mm across and produced in the summer months.
Sarcococca ruscifolia Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Sarcococca ruscifolia, commonly known as Fragrant Sweet Box or Fragrant Sarcococca, is native to south and central China. In its native habitat it grows in forests on mountain slopes and stream banks.
The etymological root of the binomial name Sarcococca is derived from the Greek sarx ’flesh’ and kokkos ’berry’. Ruscifolia is derived from the Latin Ruscus, another genus of shrub and folium meaning ‘leaf’.
Sarcococca ruscifolia Flower Buds (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Sarcococca ruscifolia useful as a low growing, evergreen shade tolerant shrub, including in the dry shade of tree. It produces very fragrant flowers during the winter months.
Ecologically, Sarcococca ruscifolia is valuable as it attracts birds to the berries and is an excellent source of winter nectar for insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis ‘Dragon Gate’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.
Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis Flowers (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Sarcococca ruscifolia prefers moist, humus rich, moderately fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate dry shady soils.
Sarcococca ruscifolia requires little maintenance. If required pruning should be carried out after flowering.