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Shrubs

Cephalanthus occidentalis Sugar Shack ('Smcoss')

A compact, rounded, deciduous shrub with glossy foliage that emerges red-tinted in spring, matures to green in summer and may turn red again in autumn before falling. Small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers with protruding yellow stamens are clustered together into spherical, stalked heads and followed by red fruits

Synonyms

Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Smcoss'

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rubiaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Cephalanthus are deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs. The small, fragrant flowers are carried in spherical clusters
Name status: Trade

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in neutral to acidic soil that is humus-rich and fertile. Prefers moist, well-drained soil, but can cope with some seasonal water-logging

Propagation

Propagate by layering or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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