What hardiness zones is Sarcococca confusa suitable for?

Sarcococca confusa is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Sarcococca confusa?

Sarcococca confusa requires Part Shade.

How much water does Sarcococca confusa need?

Sarcococca confusa has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Sarcococca confusa

tall sarcococca

Buxaceae

Western China (exact wild provenance uncertain)

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height3-5 feet (90-150 cm)

Width3-5 feet (90-150 cm)

Maturity6 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

An upright, densely branched evergreen shrub reaching 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) tall and 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) wide at maturity. Stems are green when young, becoming brown and woody with age, forming a dense, multi-stemmed habit. Leaves are alternate, elliptic to lance-shaped, 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long and 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) wide, glossy dark green, leathery, with entire margins and a pointed tip. Flowers are small, 0.25 inch (6 mm), white, and petal-less, consisting of clusters of fragrant stamens borne in the leaf axils from December through February. The fragrance is intense and sweet, detectable from 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) in still air during mild winter days. Fruit is a glossy, spherical drupe, 0.25-0.3 inch (6-8 mm) in diameter, ripening from red to black; berries persist from spring into summer. Growth rate is slow; plants reach 3 feet (90 cm) within 5-6 years. Spreads slowly by suckers, forming a colony over time, though less aggressively than S. hookeriana var. humilis. Tolerates deep shade but also performs in partial sun in cooler climates. Foliage quality remains consistent year-round in zones 7-9; leaf burn may occur in zone 6 during severe winters with temperatures below 0°F (-18°C).

Native Range

Native to western China, though the exact wild provenance is uncertain (the epithet 'confusa' reflects taxonomic confusion about its origin). Found in understory forests and shaded mountain slopes in humid, temperate conditions at elevations of 3,000-7,000 feet (900-2,100 m).

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and foundation plantings at 36-48 inch (90-120 cm) spacing. Winter fragrance makes it suited to placement near entryways, paths, and windows where the scent can be detected during the bloom period. Grows in containers of at least 7 gallons (26 L) for patios and shaded courtyards.

How to Identify

Distinguished from other Sarcococca species by its upright, multi-stemmed habit reaching 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) tall and its relatively broad, elliptic leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long with a glossy, dark green surface. The wavy leaf margins and slightly convex leaf surface help separate it from S. hookeriana, which has narrower, flatter leaves. Intensely fragrant white flower clusters in winter leaf axils and glossy black drupes confirm the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Winter

Flowers from December through February in zones 7-9, with peak fragrance occurring in January during mild spells above 40°F (4°C). In zone 6, bloom may be delayed to January-March. Individual flowers are small and persist for 2-3 weeks; total bloom period extends 6-10 weeks. Fragrance intensity varies with temperature; flowers are most aromatic on mild, still days.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, leathery, elliptic with pointed tips

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-6 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons, providing 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week in the absence of rain. Established plants tolerate moderate drought of 2-3 weeks but perform with greater consistency with supplemental water during extended dry periods. Prefers acidic to slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.5); chlorosis may develop in alkaline conditions. No significant pest or disease problems in the Pacific Northwest. Deer browsing is uncommon. Plants are slow to establish and may show minimal growth in the first 1-2 years after planting. Mulch with 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of organic material to maintain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter or early spring. Plants can be lightly shaped after flowering to control size, but respond slowly to hard pruning. Suckers that spread beyond the desired area can be removed at ground level at any time. Old, overgrown specimens can be renewed by cutting one-third of the oldest stems to the ground annually over three years.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 7 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans