Sarcococca saligna

Sarcococca saligna, also known as willow-leaved sweet box, is a Himalayan botanical species rather rare in cultivation, but easy to grow in cool climates and soil. This beautiful evergreen bush is distinguished by its slender and elongated foliage, resembling that of willows, but also because its winter flowering is almost odourless, an unusual trait within the genus. With a spreading but compact habit, it carries its large leaves like a cascade of feathered mantle on its arching branches. The discreet winter flowering is followed by decorative small purple fruits. Perfect for shade or semi-shade, this medicinal plant settles among the roots of trees, slowly but surely.

Sarcococca saligna is a branching rhizomatous shrub belonging to the Buxaceae family, a close relative of boxwood, native to the Himalayas, from northern Pakistan, through Nepal, Afghanistan, and down to India, growing at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 1300 m (3937 to 4265ft). It is commonly found in the evergreen forests of these regions. It is a small dense, slow-growing shrub with a compact habit and green, arching stems, which will not exceed 1.20 m (4ft) in height and 1 m (3ft) in width after many years. Its original foliage is persistent and leathery. It is shiny light green on the upper side and even lighter underneath. The leaves are entire, oblong-lanceolate, very elongated; they measure 6-9 cm (2-4in) long by 1.2-2 cm (1in) wide. The flowers appear from December, sometimes alongside the black fruits forming a very nice contrast. They are gathered in short clusters in the axils of the leaves, all along the branches. They measure no more than 3 to 5 mm (1in) in length and are devoid of petals, showing only very developed pale yellow-green stamens. This barely scented flowering lasts for about 2 months, depending on the climate. The fruits are 1 cm (1in) ovoid, purple berries which become almost black and shiny in autumn.

Very hardy, this sarcococca seems to be one of the easiest to acclimatize in our gardens, as it is not very demanding on soil type and exposure. Although it grows slowly, like dwarf conifers, it knows how to blend into the background during the summer season, but effectively structures small spaces in winter and requires little care. It has the advantage of bringing a touch of spring to the garden throughout the winter, just like mahonias. It can be cultivated in flower beds as well as in woodlands, low hedges or ground cover. It only dislikes really chalky soils and is perfectly capable of competing with tree roots. It is perfect for filling an understory with ferns, witch hazels, skimmias, aucubas or azaleas. You can even grow it in pots.

Used for a long time in traditional Pakistani medicine, it appears, according to very recent studies, that Sarcococca saligna contains very interesting alkaloids for the treatment of pain and cardiovascular diseases, as well as active molecules against certain bacteria and fungi.