Himalayan Sweet Box Sarcococca hookeriana var. dygyna
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis
- Sarcococca humilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- sar-ko-KOCK-a hook-er-e-A-na variety dy-JY-nah
- Description
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The Himalayan sweet box is a dwarf, compact, low-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Buxaceae or boxwood family. It spreads by underground stems to form a colony. The shrub has fragrant creamy white blooms in late winter to early spring that hide under foliage. The leaves are glossy, leathery, lanceolate, and dark green with sharp tips. Showy black fruits appear after the flowers fade.
This shrub is native to the western Himalayas and China.
The genus name, Sarcocococca, is Greek from the word sarkos, which means "flesh" and kokkos, which means "berry." Humilis is Latin for "low-growing." The epithet, hookeriana, is named in honor of Sir Joseph Hooker.
The Himalayan sweet box prefers part shade to full shade, rich, moist, well-drained, and acidic soils. The full sun causes the leaves to lose their luster, but the plant is tolerant of the full sun when accompanied by moist soil. Plants, that have been well established, appear to be more drought tolerant. Pruning is needed in the spring after blooming to maintain the shrub's shape.
The Himalayan sweet box is a tough plant and can be used in deeply shady areas, particularly under trees. It may also be used as a border or low hedge. The shrub would be lovely in groups as a filler or background, in a woodland garden setting, or a naturalized landscape.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Late Winter or Early Spring Foliage: Year-round Fruits: Summer and Fall
Quick ID Hints:
- compact, low-growing, dense, broadleaf evergreen, measuring 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide
- leaves are narrow, simple, alternate, sharp tips, entire margins, shiny dark green above, and paler on the undersides
- fragrant, small creamy-white flowers without petals, blooming in late winter or early spring
- small, shiny, oval red drupes that turn black as they mature
- green stems are foul-smelling when bruised
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This shrub has no serious insect or disease problems. It may be susceptible to boxwood blight.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sarcococca
- Species:
- hookeriana
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- 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 are small, globose, shiny, black berry-like drupes. They measure about 0.25 inches in diameter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are small fragrant, creamy-white blooms that lack petals. The male flower has pink anthers, and the female flower has two styles. They typically bloom in late winter to early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, simple, oblong to lanceolate with entire margins. They have slender sharp tips and are shiny dark green on the upper surface and paler beneath. They measure 2 to 3.5 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is slender, green, slightly pubescent, and foul-smelling when bruised.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
