Sarcococca confusa – The Sweetly Scented Winter Box

The Sarcococca confusa, commonly known as Sweet Box, is an elegant evergreen shrub that delivers fragrance and charm when it’s needed most. Flowering in midwinter through to early spring, it produces small, creamy-white blooms with a surprisingly strong, sweet scent that can perfume an entire corner of the garden. These flowers are followed by glossy black berries that provide further seasonal interest.

With its neat, bushy growth and glossy dark green leaves, Sarcococca confusa is the perfect shrub for shady borders, woodland gardens, or containers near doorways and paths where its delightful fragrance can be enjoyed up close.

General Information

Sarcococca confusa is a hardy evergreen shrub from the box family (Buxaceae), native to western China.

• Habit: Compact, bushy evergreen shrub with dense branching.

• Height & spread: Typically reaches 1–1.5m tall and wide, forming a neat rounded mound.

• Foliage: Glossy, leathery, dark green leaves with a tidy, polished look.

• Flowers: Small, tubular, creamy-white flowers appear from December to March.

• Fragrance: Intensely sweet and honey-like, especially noticeable on mild winter days.

• Fruit: Shiny black berries often follow the flowers, providing interest into summer.

• Position: Thrives in partial to deep shade, making it invaluable for tricky spots.

• Soil: Prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil; tolerant of clay and chalk if not waterlogged.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK and Ireland, tolerating cold winters.

• Uses: Ideal for shady borders, woodland planting, under trees, or in containers near paths and entrances.

Its combination of evergreen foliage and winter fragrance makes it a must-have shrub for year-round gardens.

Care Guide

Sarcococca confusa is low-maintenance and thrives with very little attention once established.

Planting

• When to plant: Best planted in autumn or spring when the soil is workable.

• Depth & spacing: Plant at the same depth as in the pot; space 75–100cm apart for group plantings.

• Preparation: Improve poor soils with compost or organic matter before planting.

Watering & Feeding

• Water regularly in the first year to help establish roots.

• Once mature, it is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.

• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser to encourage healthy foliage and strong flowering.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Requires very little pruning; simply trim lightly in spring to maintain shape if needed.

• Remove any dead or damaged stems in early spring.

• Mulch annually with compost or well-rotted leaf mould to conserve moisture and enrich soil.

Protection

• Fully hardy and resilient in most conditions.

• Shelter from very exposed sites to protect flowers from strong winter winds.

• Generally pest- and disease-free, making it a reliable garden performer.

Why Choose Sarcococca confusa?

This understated evergreen shrub brings beauty and fragrance to gardens precisely when most plants are dormant.

• Winter fragrance: Sweetly scented blooms in the coldest months.

• Evergreen foliage: Glossy leaves provide year-round structure and colour.

• Compact habit: Perfect for shady borders, woodland gardens, and containers.

• Wildlife-friendly: Flowers attract early pollinators; berries provide food for birds.

• Low-maintenance: Hardy, resilient, and easy to grow.

The Sarcococca confusa (Sweet Box) is a superb shrub for adding winter cheer, fragrance, and evergreen reliability. Whether planted near a doorway, in a shady border, or under trees, it provides year-round interest and a burst of scent that will lift the spirits in the darkest months of the year.

• Size
  1L

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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