Plant pick: sarcococca
Published 12:01 am Thursday, February 10, 2011
WHAT: The genus sarcococca includes a variety of outstanding evergreen shrubs, including this variety, sarcococca hookeriana var. hooker
iana.
WHY PLANT IT: All sarcococca, also known as sweet box, are noted for their superb winter fragrance, which floats on the breeze in January and February.
This intoxicating sweet vanilla perfume comes from its tiny, inconspicuous white flowers.
WHERE: It grows best in full to part shade in rich, fertile soil. It tolerates a range of soil conditions, from moist to very dry (once established and if in shade).
It is a good choice for under eaves and in dark, dry locations.
Keep it out of hot afternoon sun or the leaves will yellow and scorch.
HOW: Spreading by suckers to form a colony, this variety of sarcococca features branches of willowy, green leaves. Plants grow slowly for the first year or two.
ACTUAL SIZE: It produces upright, slightly arching branches bearing lance-shaped leaves about ¾ inches wide and about 3 inches long, creating an overall effect of an elegant, soft-textured, willowy shrub.
It reaches 4 to 6 feet high and 3 feet wide. It can be kept to about 4 feet high with pruning.
LEARN MORE: See www.greatplantpicks.org.
Source: Great Plant Picks
