Underused in Australian gardens, Sarcococca are a useful group of plants, mostly low growing and easy care. Sacococca hookeriana humilis is known as ‘Sweet Box’ , they have a compact growth habit and are easy to prune. Pale cream flowers inspring are an added attraction, however it is for the foliage that they are mainly used in landscaping projects.
Sarcococca hookeriana humilis is a lower growing species, than S. hookeriana is very useful for underplanting both deciduous and evergreen trees.
Landscaping Uses
Reaching around .6m, Sarcococca hookeriana humilis is a choice low growing evergreen plant for dry shade, and landscapers use it widely for these characteristics. A few varieties including Sarcococca hookeriana humilis and Sacococca hookeriana var. digyna which has attractive purple stems.
Care and growing conditions
A humus rich soil in filtered to part shade or full sun. In warmer area protection from afternoon sun is advisable. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shade. The root system is not regarded as invasive and these are a long lived shrub Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring, water Sacococca hookeriana in, with a seaweed fertiliser when planting.
Summary
- evergreen
- .6m
- dry shade
- fragrant flowers
- frost tolerant
- excellent beneath trees
