Sarcococca hookeriana 'Pmoore03' WINTER GEM

Sweet box is an Asian taxon of low to mid-sized, evergreen shrubs native to a large area from Afghanistan to the Himalayas and N.E. China. It is from the same family as box plant and even though they were supposed to be tender for C.E. climate, the fact than some species are present at the foot of the Himalayas encourages the breeders from colder areas to spend more time on their hybridizing.

Winter Gem is a Himalayan sweet box variety bred by Peter Moore from England. He succeeded in hybridizing a sweet box that will grow well in a pot which is something that sarcococca dislikes and will tolerate chalk (lime soil). Winter Gem boasts highly glossy, evergreen, narrowly lance-shaped, dark green foliage, broader than usual (about 2-3 cm wide). In autumn are formed small, red flower buds which open in profusion during a warmer period of mid to late winder and early spring. Flowers are small, white, extremely fragrant, and if pollinated they are followed by dark red to almost black, spherical, glossy, inedible nit not poisonous fruit.

Sweet box usually does not need pruning but may be gently sheared immediately after flowering. Winter Gem is a compact variety which looks great on its own. It spreads by suckers to form dense colonies unless the ground is covered with mulching sheets. It can grow in full sun, too, and is suitable for outdoor pots in USDA zones 7 and higher. It is protected by patents PP26599 (US – 2016) and 38472 (EU – 2014).

Sweet box is commonly used as a ground cover or filler in semi-shaded or shaded locations where it is protected from strong winter sunlight and cutting winds. It will grow in almost any well-drained soil but performs best in acidic to neutral, humus-rich, evenly moist soil. It thrives on neglect and once established it requires no care. Mulching helps retain moisture and reduces temperature swings in winter. It is hardy to min. -23°C (USDA zone 6) and is under further trials in colder zones.

Last update 29-01-2021