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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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Bloom Information
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
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green, leathery, elliptic with pointed tipsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
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
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons