Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis Fragrant Mountain - Himalayan sweet box

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis Fragrant Mountain is particularly attractive due to its long, decorative and pleasantly scented winter flowering. This compact and sturdy shrub, which slowly spreads, has very aesthetic dark green evergreen foliage throughout the year. This sarcococca prefers a shady or semi-shady exposure, easily settling between the roots of trees that will protect it from direct sunlight. It is easy to grow and thrives in most soils, even tolerating some limestone, but will be more comfortable in acidic to neutral soil, rich in humus and with a tendency to be moist.

Sarcococca is a member of the small Buxaceae family, which also includes Boxwoods (Buxus) and Pachysandra, a valuable ground cover for shaded areas. The etymology of the name Sarcococca refers to the Greek words sarx (flesh) and kokkos (berry), in reference to the fleshy fruits of these plants. S. hookeriana is one of the twenty species in the genus, native to the Asian continent. This shrub itself is native to the mountainous forest areas of the Himalayas, between 2100 and 3600 metres above sea level.
The Fragrant Mountain 'Sarsid4' variety is a selection from breeder Gurjit Sidhu (British Columbia, Canada), resulting from a random sowing of Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis and introduced to the market in 2002. It has a relatively slow growth and forms a dense tuft, which generally reaches a height of 60 cm and a width of 90 cm in 10 years. It is a rhizomatous species, with stoloniferous, suckering, and running branches that produce numerous shoots, allowing it to spread over time. Its slender green branches are adorned with elliptical to lanceolate leaves, with a pointed tip, measuring 5 to 7 cm in length and 1 to 1.5 cm in width. The evergreen leaves only renew themselves after several years, forming a very dense and well-filled tuft. Uniform dark green, their surface is slightly glossy, and the dark vegetation provides a perfect backdrop for the light-coloured flowering. From January onwards, with a few days of mild weather, the dormant flower buds awaken and produce a quantity of small cream-white flowers, delicately tinged with pink at the base. The tubular flowers measure 3 to 5 mm in length and have no petals, their distinctive pattern is solely due to the visible stamens. Grouped in clusters in the axils of the leaves, they are quite decorative despite their small size, and above all, they emit a pleasant honey fragrance several meteres around the shrub. Not content with braving the winter and offering its fragrance, this flowering is also long-lasting, blooming for about two months. When pollinated, the female flowers produce small dark red to black, shiny, non-edible but non-toxic fruits.

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis Fragrant Mountain is a true gem for the shady areas of the garden, brightening them up with its graceful flowering during a time when flowers are scarce. Its fragrance is an additional asset that makes it a must-have. To create a beautiful winter bed, plant some Christmas Roses (Helleborus orientalis) at the base of your Sarcococca, preferably choosing those with purple flowers to create strong contrasts. These perennials bloom at the same time as Fragrant Mountain and have the same cultural requirements. In the background, plant a Japanese Maple such as Acer japonicum Vitifolium, with large palmate leaves reminiscent of grapevines (Vitis), hence its name, which will reward you in autumn with magnificent bright orange and crimson red colours. And to end the year on a high note, Camellia sasanqua Sekiyo (Autumn Camellia) will delight you with its raspberry pink flowers enhanced with a golden centre. To perfume your terrace, you can also grow Sarcococca in a pot...