![Sarcococca orientalis 1 Dec 2021](/uploads/plants/_sm/228410/Sarcococca-orientalis-1-Dec-2021.jpg)
Sarcococca orientalis (Sweet Box)
December 30, 2021A winter bloomer, Sarcococca orientalis (sweet box) will flower from December through January, exuding a floral perfume that is slightly sweet. On a warm day, its welcome scent wafts through the air.
S. orientalis spreads rhizomatically, via underground stems, but it can be easily contained and creates lovely clumps. We have a young colony in the Shade Border growing underneath Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea). This shaded environment is ideal—too much exposure can result in leaf burn.
![Sarcococca orientalis 2 Dec 2021](/uploads/plants/_sm/228411/Sarcococca-orientalis-2-Dec-2021.jpg)
The fruit of S. orientalis is slightly larger than a wild blueberry, but smaller than what you’ll find in your grocery store. The botanical term for this type of fruit is aggregate drupe. Simply, a drupe is a type of berry, but it only contains one seed. Familiar drupes include blueberry—and avocado! An aggregate drupe is a fusion of drupes that results in multiple seeds in one fruit. Blackberry is a familiar aggregate drupe. By February, S. orientalis will have finished blooming, giving way to a related winter flowering shrub, S. hookeriana.
Jess Brey,
Ruth Rea Howell Senior Horticultural Interpreter