Sweet Box
Sarcococca confusa
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Sarcococca confusa, sweet box, is one of the great winter-fragrance shrubs, a compact evergreen of the boxwood family grown for a perfume out of all proportion to the flowers that carry it. In the depths of winter the small, tassel-like, creamy white flowers open along the stems, tucked among the leaves and easy to miss by eye, but their sweet, honeyed scent carries yards on a mild day and stops passersby in their tracks.
The plant makes a dense, rounded mound of glossy, dark green, pointed leaves, holding its polish the year round, and the winter flowers give way to shining jet-black berries that persist into the following season. The name confusa records a small botanical joke: the species was long confused with its relatives, and the wild origin, in China, was slow to be pinned down.
Sweet box is a plant for the difficult shade that defeats showier shrubs, thriving in the low light beneath trees, along a north wall, or in a shaded courtyard, and asking little once settled in moist, well-drained soil. Slow-growing, dense, and deer-resistant, the shrub clips into a low informal hedge or holds its own as a foundation planting where a tidy evergreen is wanted.
Site Sarcococca confusa where the winter scent can be caught: beside a door, along a shaded path, under a window opened on a mild day, or near a bench used in the cold months. Pair with ferns, hellebores, and other shade companions, underplant with early bulbs, and enjoy one of the surest ways to bring fragrance to a winter garden.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Part Shade, Full Shade
- Soil
- Moist, Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 3–5 Feet · Spread 3–5 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
Small, tassel-like, creamy white flowers in the depths of winter, intensely honey-scented, followed by glossy black berries.
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.