Sarcococca

Sarcococca - New Zealand’s Best Sweet-Box Plants

Growing colourful shrubs in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Sarcococca plants and the right one for your space. Our Sweet-box plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Sarcococca, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Sarcococca

1. What are the conditions for Sarcococca?

Sarcococca, also known as sweet box or Christmas box, is a genus of evergreen shrubs that are prized for their fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. They are relatively easy to care for and can tolerate a variety of conditions, but they do have some specific requirements for optimal growth.

• Soil: They prefer moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. They can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, but they prefer slightly acidic soil.
• Light: Sarcoccocca can grow in full shade, partial shade, or even full sun, but they prefer shade in hot, dry climates.
• Water: They prefer a moist soil, but they can tolerate dry periods once established. Water them regularly during dry periods, especially in the first few years after planting.
• Fertiliser: Sarcoccocca are not heavy feeders. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring is usually sufficient.
• Pruning: Sarcoccocca does not require much pruning, but you can trim them to shape them in spring or after flowering.
• Pests and Diseases: Sarcoccocca is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but they can be susceptible to fungus issues if the soil is too wet.

2. What goes well with Sarcococca?

Sarcococca, also known as sweet box or Christmas box, is a genus of evergreen shrubs that are prized for their fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. They are relatively easy to care for and can tolerate a variety of conditions, but they do have some specific requirements for optimal growth.

Here are some plants that go well with Sarcococca:

• Hellebores: Hellebores are shade-loving perennials that bloom in the late winter and early spring. They come in a wide variety of colors, including white, pink, and purple.
• Snowdrops: Snowdrops are small, white flowers that bloom in the early spring. They are a perfect complement to Sarcococca, as they both bloom in the same time of year and have similar growing requirements.
• Winter aconite: Winter aconite is a small, yellow flower that blooms in the early spring. It is a cheerful addition to the shade garden, and it complements Sarcococca's fragrant flowers.
• Hostas: Hostas are shade-loving perennials that have large, attractive leaves. They come in a wide variety of colors, including green, yellow, and blue.
• Heuchera: Heuchera is a shade-loving perennial that has colorful foliage. They come in a wide variety of colors, including purple, pink, and orange.
• Ajuga: Ajuga is a groundcover that has purple flowers and green leaves. It is a good choice for planting under Sarcococca, as it will help to suppress weeds.

These are just a few ideas for plants that go well with Sarcococca. There are many other shade-loving plants that you can choose from. When selecting plants for your shade garden, be sure to consider the amount of light that the area receives, the soil type, and the moisture level.

3. Which Sarcococca smells the best?

The fragrance of Sarcococca is a matter of personal preference, but some of the most commonly cited varieties for their sweet, powerful fragrance include:

• Sarcococca confusa: This is the most common type of Sarcococca and is known for its strong, sweet fragrance. The flowers are creamy white and bloom in late winter or early spring.
• Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna: This variety has a slightly milder fragrance than Sarcococca confusa, but it is still very fragrant. The flowers are also creamy white and bloom in late winter or early spring.
• Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis: This variety has a more delicate fragrance than the other two, but it is still very pleasant. The flowers are creamy white and bloom in late winter or early spring.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which Sarcococca smells the best to you is to try them out for yourself. Visit a local nursery or garden center and smell the flowers of different varieties. You can also order plants online and have them shipped to your home.

4. Does Sarcococca need acid soil?

Sarcococca is a very adaptable shrub and can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, including acid, alkaline, and neutral. However, they prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

5. How hardy is Sarcococca?

Sarcococca is a hardy shrub that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It can tolerate frost and dry periods once established.

6. Can Sarcococca be moved?

Sarcococca can be moved, but it is best to do so in early spring or autumn when the plant is dormant. This will give the plant the best chance of recovering from the transplant stress.

To move Sarcococca, you will need to dig a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant. Then, carefully loosen the root ball with a shovel or garden fork. Be careful not to damage the roots, as this can shock the plant. Once the root ball is loose, you can lift the plant out of the ground and place it in the new hole. Make sure that the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Then, backfill the hole with soil and water the plant thoroughly.

Here are some additional tips for moving Sarcococca:

• Water the plant well before and after you transplant it. This will help to reduce transplant stress.
• Prune the plant after you transplant it. This will help to reduce stress and encourage new growth.
• Fertilize the plant after you transplant it. This will help to give the plant the nutrients it needs to recover.

With proper care, Sarcococca can be successfully transplanted.