Sweet Box

About this plant

Sarcococca Hookeriana var. Humilis, commonly known as Sweet Box, is a refined evergreen shrub that offers year-round beauty and exceptional fragrance. Ideal for those seeking an elegant, low-maintenance plant, its compact growth habit and glossy, dark green leaves provide a sophisticated touch to any shaded garden. From late winter to early spring, Sweet Box produces small, inconspicuous white flowers that release a surprisingly potent and delightful, vanilla-like perfume. These fragrant blooms transform the winter landscape, offering a welcome sensory experience when most other plants are dormant. This resilient plant is an excellent choice for a variety of landscaping needs, including shaded borders, foundation plantings, woodland gardens, or as a charming container specimen. Its dense foliage also provides a lovely backdrop for other shade-loving perennials.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Sweet Box is very low maintenance. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape or remove any unwanted growth. It generally doesn't require extensive fertilization but benefits from an annual application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.