Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Fragrant Sarcococca Or Sweet Box

Sarcococca Ruscifolia

Design with this plant

Overview

Sarcococca ruscifolia, commonly known as Fragrant Sweet Box, is an evergreen shrub known for its rich, green foliage and powerfully fragrant, small white flowers which bloom in late winter. It thrives in part to full shade and prefers well-drained soil, growing to about 3-5 feet tall and wide. Provides excellent ground cover and is ideal for shade gardens. Hardy and requires minimal maintenance once established. USDA zones 7-9.

Sun Deep Shade, ShadeWater Low, MediumZones 6–10Type Ground cover, ShrubClimate Temperate
Fragrant Sarcococca Or Sweet Box (Sarcococca Ruscifolia) — commonly known as Fragrant Sweet Box

Culture

Sun
Deep Shade, Shade
Water
Low, Medium
USDA zones
6–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Ground cover, Shrub
Family
Buxaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (28)

Fragrant Sarcococca Or Sweet Box (Sarcococca Ruscifolia) — <br><br>For optimal growth
Fragrant Sarcococca Or Sweet Box (Sarcococca Ruscifolia) — Provides excellent ground cover and is ideal for shade gardens
Fragrant Sarcococca Or Sweet Box (Sarcococca Ruscifolia) — lanceolate leaves are about 2 to 3 inches long
Fragrant Sarcococca Or Sweet Box (Sarcococca Ruscifolia) — white flowers in the garden
Photographs by 2 contributors

Related plants

Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra Procumbens) — can span 2 to 4 inches in length

Ground cover

Allegheny Spurge

Pachysandra Procumbens

Deep ShadeUSDA 4–9
American Boxwood (Buxus Sempervirens) — that this shrub prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH in the soil

Broadleaf Evergreen

American Boxwood

Buxus Sempervirens

FullUSDA 5–10
Dee Runk Dwarf Boxwood (Buxus Sempervirens 'Dee Runk') — with a naturally upright and columnar growth habit

Shrub

Dee Runk Dwarf Boxwood

Buxus Sempervirens 'Dee Runk'

FullUSDA 5–8
Dwarf English Boxwood (Buxus Sempervirens 'Suffruticosa') — the boxwood produces inconspicuous creamy-yellow flowers; this slow-growing evergreen shrub is

Shrub

Dwarf English Boxwood

Buxus Sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'

FullUSDA 6–10
Green Beauty Boxwood (Buxus 'Green Beauty') — The Buxus 'Green Beauty' is an evergreen shrub, favored for its lush, deep green foliage

Shrub

Green Beauty Boxwood

Buxus 'Green Beauty'

FullUSDA 6–10
Green Gem Boxwood (Buxus 'Green Gem') — The Buxus 'Green Gem' is a hardy evergreen shrub ideal for structured gardens

Shrub

Green Gem Boxwood

Buxus 'Green Gem'

FullUSDA 6–10