Fragrant Sarcococca. Since this plant has never been found in the wild, it is now presumed that this is a hybrid between Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna and Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis. Reaching 4-6' with dark green leaves, dense growth and slightly pendulous branches makes this one of the better plants for massing in the shade garden. It produces white, apetalous, fragrant white flowers in the axils of its leaves in January and February. These are followed by red berries which slowly turn black. There is much confusion in the trade between this species and S. ruscifolia, but S. ruscifolia has red berries which stay red and don't turn black. Sarcococcas are some of the best evergreen, dry shade shrubs imaginable. One can choose from the low groundcover type in S. hookerana humilis, or the pendulous S. saligna, or the compact S. orientalis, or the red berried S. ruscifolia, or the largest grower in S. confusa. All have apetalous (without petals) fragrant flowers in the late fall or winter. Zones 6-9
