Sarcococca confusa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sar-ko-KOH-a con-FU-sa
- Description
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The fragrant sarcococca is a bushy broadleaf evergreen shrub that measures 3 to 5 feet tall and as wide. The shrub is mounding with upright arching green stems. It has a loose form in youth and becomes densely branched and rounded with age. Tiny creamy-white flowers bloom in the winter and have a sweet vanilla fragrance. The foliage is glossy, wavy, and dark green. After flowering shiny red berries appear that transition to black and may persist through winter. It is a member of the Buxaceae or boxwood family.
Fragrant sarcococca is believed to be a native of China. There is some confusion about its origin. Since it has not been seen in the wild, it is believed that it may be a hybrid of two Chinese species.
The genus name, Sarcococca, originates from the words sarco, meaning "flesh," and kokkos, meaning "berry." The epithet, confusa, means "confused" and references their being confused with other species.
This shrub prefers full to partial shade and tolerates most soil and pH types. They need moist, well-drained soil and are hardy in zones 6 through 9. They have a slow to moderate growth rate. The shrub is resistant to deer and rabbits and is tolerant of pollution and drought if planted in the shade.
Consider the fragrant sarcococca for winter flowering interest in the landscape. They may be used as a border, hedge, screening, patio, or lining a walkway. The year-round green shrub, scented winter flowers, and berries would be a lovely addition to a home garden.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Winter Foliage: Year-round Fruit: Summer to Winter
Quick ID Hints:
- densely branched broadleaf evergreen shrub, 3 to 5 feet tall and as wide
- glossy, leathery, dark green, lanceolate to elliptic leaves with undulated or wavy margins, undersides are lighter green
- clusters of tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers without petals that bloom during the winter
- shiny red drupes that transition to black and are present in the summer through the winter months
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no serious insect or disease problems.
VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Hydrangeas in the Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sarcococca
- Species:
- confusa
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits ripen one year later. They are shiny, oval, measure 0.25 inches long, and are initially red and then turn black. The drupes may persist through the winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Winter
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny, creamy-white fragrant flowers bloom from late January to February. They are not showy and lack petals. There are male and female blooms. The male bloom has 4 sepals, measures 1/8 inch long, and has creamy-colored anthers that exceed beyond the bloom. The female flowers have 4 to 6 sepals, measure 3/16 inches long, and have 2 to 3 styles. The flowers are vanilla-scented.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate to elliptic, and measure about 1.25-2 inches long and 0.5 to 0.75 inches wide. They are glossy, leathery, dark green on the upper surface, and lighter green beneath. The margins are undulate or wavy.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The young stems are green.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Rabbits
