sweet box
Sarcococca hookeriana
USDA zones6 to 8
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size4 to 5 feet tall5 to 6 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Dense
- Bloom season
- Spring, winter
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
- Toxicity
- Toxic to pets
Garden uses
Notes
Sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana) is a shrub for borders, shade gardens, hedges, and containers. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, or down to -10°F (-23°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and average to moist soil of most types. It grows slowly into a dense, evergreen mound with fragrant white flowers in winter and spring. Deer tend to browse other plants first. Keep it away from pets, since it is toxic to them.
Pairs well with Lenten rose, Golden Tiara hosta, Lady fern, and Japanese forest grass.
Native range
Southeastern Tibet to eastern Himalayas.