Sarcococca hookeriana

Common Names

Sweet Box, Himalayan Sweet Box, Sweetbox

Summary

An evergreen shrub native to the Himalaya and parts of China, with a dense, mounding habit reaching about 1–1.5 m in height and 0.5–1 m in width; glossy dark-green lanceolate leaves; small, highly fragrant creamy-white tubular flowers in winter, followed by glossy black berries.

Prefers moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil with shade tolerance, full sun tolerated in damp soil; hardy in USDA zones 7–9 (zone 6 possible with protection); propagates by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings, and spreads slowly via suckers or stolons; suitable for cottage or informal gardens, patios, hedges, borders, or containers, and provides wildlife value; generally pest- and disease-resistant, with pruning after flowering and regular watering in the first year; not edible, with berries toxic if ingested.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-5 ft

Spread

1.5-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade to full shade.

Soil Type

Humus-rich, moist, well-drained loam, pH 4.5–7.5

Soil Drainage

Moist and well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Winter

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-growing; slow to moderate; 5–10 years; spreads slowly by stolons.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Division, Stolons, Suckers

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, other pollinators, birds