Sweet Box
Sarcococca orientalis
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Sarcococca orientalis is a fragrant, uncommon sweet box from China, a compact evergreen of the boxwood family grown, like its kin, for a winter perfume far larger than the flowers that carry it. In late winter small white flowers open along the stems, modest to the eye but richly and sweetly scented, filling a still, mild day with fragrance and giving the shade garden a lift when little else stirs.
The plant builds a neat, rounded mound of glossy, dark green leaves that hold their color the year round, and the flowers give way to dark, glossy berries that carry on into the following season. Slower and more compact than some of its relatives, Sarcococca orientalis keeps a tidy shape with almost no attention.
Like the other sweet boxes, this is a plant for shade, thriving in the low light beneath trees, along a north wall, or in a shaded courtyard, in moist, well-drained soil. Deer-resistant, pest-free, and low-maintenance, the shrub earns a place as a fragrant evergreen for a border, a foundation, or a shaded path, and remains rare enough in the trade to please a collector.
Site Sarcococca orientalis where the winter scent can be met at close range, by a door, along a shaded walk, or under a window, and pair with ferns, hellebores, and other shade companions, underplanted with early bulbs. A quiet, dependable source of fragrance for the winter shade garden.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Part Shade, Full Shade
- Soil
- Moist, Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 3–4 Feet · Spread 3–4 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
Small white flowers along the stems in late winter, sweetly and richly scented, followed by dark glossy 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.