East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing
Soil
Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Christmas box, Sarcococca confusa, is a dense, winter-flowering evergreen shrub, bearing sweetly scented, pure white blooms, in contrast with dark green leaves. It's extremely tolerant of shade and is therefore perfect for growing in a woodland border or shady corner, where you can enjoy its heady fragrance throughout winter.
Grow Sarcococca confusa in moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade, ideally near a path or in your front garden, where you can appreciate its scent.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn’t my sweet box (Sarcococca) doing well?
If your sweet box is looking sickly and the leaves are going yellow and crinkly, check that your plant has some shade, as Sarcococca grows best out of full sun, especially if the soil is dry. It can also suffer when exposed to cold, drying winds, so make sure your plant is in a sheltered position. Consider winter protection in hard and prolonged periods of frost and snow. Some species, such as Sarcococca wallichii, are only reliably hardy in mild areas.
Why has my Sarcococca confusa lost its leaves?
Sarcococca confusa is a resilient evergreen shrub, so if it has lost its leaves there may be an issue with environmental conditions. Make sure your Sarcococca is planted moist but well-drained soil. Plants in dry soil may suffer until they are well established.
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Sarcococca and wildlife
Sarcococca has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
