‘Fragrant Valley’ Sweetbox

Sarcococca humilis ‘Sarsid1’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub or Groundcover Plant

Height at Maturity: 18-24″

Width at Maturity: 3-4′
Spacing: 3′ for low hedges or massed plantings, 6’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Dense Spreading Mound

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: White with Pink tips

Flower Size: 1/2″

Flowering Period: Late Winter to Early Spring

Flower Type: Tubular

Fragrant Flowers: Yes!…like Hyacinths

Foliage Color: Deep Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: Yes

Berry Color: Black

Sun Needs: Full Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, All Day Heavy Filtered Sun or Dappled Shade

Water Needs: Average, lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay soil to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand (amend quick draining soil for moisture retention), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid to Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Birds

Resistances / Tolerances: Deer, Disease, Drought(when established), Heavy Shade, Insect, Rabbit

Description

Have dense and dry shade where won’t many evergreens grow, meet ‘Fragrant Valley’ Sarcoccoca, commonly called Sweetbox, a highly attractive ground-hugging shrub perfect for a low border or groundcover. Growing to about 18 inches tall and spreading 3 to 4 feet wide, Fragrant Valley features highly attractive, elongated and pointed evergreen deep green leaves similar in appearance to English or cherry laurels. In late winter to early spring abundant clusters of dainty, tubular, white flowers appear in the leaf axils that have a wonderful hyacinth-like fragrance, so make sure to plant near patios, porches, decks and other outdoor living spaces where the fragrance can be enjoyed. Shiny black berries follow the flowers for an extra-added appeal. Though it will tolerate some morning sun this one really likes life on the shady side. You might also be happy to know that deer don’t touch it and disease stays away.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing in a dense spreading mound with arching stems to around 18 inches tall and spreading 3 to 4 feet wide, the Fragrant Valley Sweetbox isideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces and containers or in groupings or as a border or groundcover in shady landscape or woodland borders. It also is a perfect choice where a low evergreen is needed in shady home foundation plantings and thrives under medium to large size trees, where not much else will grow. Plant near outdoor living and sitting spaces so the sweet fragrance of the flowers can be enjoyed from close up. A fine addition to shady fragrance gardens, woodland gardens, Asian gardens, rock gardens, container gardens, and around water gardens and in the Xeriscape (low water needs).

Spacing: 3′ for low hedges or groupings, 7’+ for space between plants

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Growing Preferences

The Fragrant Valley Sweetbox is very easy to grow in a moist but well-drained to somewhat dry (when established) acidic soil of average or better fertility and part shade to full shade. Morning and evening sun are okay but avoid the direct afternoon sun. Established plants are quite drought tolerant and do well in dry shade. It is quite drought tolerant when established. As with many other plants, a constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic.

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