‘Tis the season for the scent of Sarcococca

In December, the Plant of the Month in the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) campaign, highlighting plants that are widely available and look especially good that month, is Sarcococca.

Commonly known as ‘sweet box’ or ‘Christmas Box’, this evergreen shrub is very sweetly scented with an aroma of vanilla essence. Its fragrant white flowers decorate the garden over winter and early spring, followed by red and black berries.

While boasting scent and beauty, Sarcococca is also tough, reliable and very easy to grow. It’s perfect for a shady border and containers or as ground cover, growing slowly and gradually to form low-growing mounds of evergreen foliage.

A tip for the season is to cut shoots and bring them inside to add to flower arrangements at Christmas time.

Founder of the Edible Bus Stop and former Chanel model, Mak Gilchrist says, “This plant has an incredibly intense scent and thrives at a time of year where there is little scent in the garden. I particularly like that about it. It's a sensuous indulgence in the deep mid-winter.”

For more information
Horticultural Trades Association
Horticulture House
19 High Street
Theale
Reading
West Berkshire
RG7 5AH
T: +44 (0)118 930 3132
Fax: +44 (0)118 932 3453
NGGV: +44 (0)118 930 2092
www.the-hta.org.uk/plantofthemonth