Sarcococca ruscifolia

Fragrant Sweet Box

C and W China (Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan; understory moist forests 3000-7000 ft; ruscifolia=ruscus-leaved; red berries; non-suckering; intense winter fragrance; z7)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Sarcococca ruscifolia is an evergreen shrub reaching 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall with a spread of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) and a dense, arching, mounding habit—denser and more rounded than S. hookeriana. Native to central and western China, it produces broadly ovate, glossy, dark green leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long with a pointed tip—broader and more ruscus-like (ruscifolia = ruscus-leaved) than S. hookeriana. Tiny, petal-less, creamy-white, intensely fragrant flowers cluster in the leaf axils in January-March. Glossy deep red berries follow and persist through winter—the red (versus black) berries distinguish this from S. hookeriana. Growth rate is slow. Hardy to zone 7. Non-suckering—stays as a single clump. The dense arching form, winter fragrance, and persistent red berries make this the showier species.

Native Range

Sarcococca ruscifolia is native to central and western China—Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan—in understory of moist forests at 3,000-7,000 feet (900-2,100 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted in shade gardens, under trees, along north-facing walls, or as a low evergreen hedge at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. Intensely fragrant winter flowers Jan-Mar. Red berries—showier than black-berried species. Non-suckering—neater than S. hookeriana. Dense evergreen mound. Slow growing. Zone 7—slightly less cold-hardy. Not suitable for full sun, dry soils, or exposed sites.

How to Identify

Distinguished from S. hookeriana var. hookeriana by the broader, ovate (versus narrow lance-shaped) leaves, the red (versus black) berries, the non-suckering (versus suckering) habit, and the denser mounding (versus upright) form. The red-berried sweet box—broader ruscus-like leaves, non-suckering dense mound, red berries, intense winter fragrance, Chinese.

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 Spring

Tiny petal-less creamy-white flowers in leaf axils, January-March. Intensely fragrant—sweet vanilla-honey scent. Glossy deep red berries persist through winter following year's bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy-white; tiny petal-less; leaf axils; Jan-Mar; intensely fragrant; deep red berries persist through winter

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green; broadly ovate ruscus-like 1.5-3 inches; pointed tip; evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 1-4 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 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 7—slightly less cold-hardy than S. hookeriana. Deep shade tolerant. Non-suckering—stays as a single clump. Shelter from cold winds.

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed. The dense mounding habit develops naturally. Can be lightly shaped after flowering. Remove any dead or damaged stems.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Shrub