Sweet & Lo™ Sweet Box

Looking for a fragrant evergreen groundcover that thrives in the shade? Say hello to Sweet & Lo™ Sweet Box (Sarcococca hookeriana 'Purplerij1'), a broadleaf evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green foliage and dainty, highly fragrant shrubs, white winter flowers that perfume the garden with a sweet vanilla-jasmine scent.

Unlike taller relatives, this dwarf Proven Winners® selection stays neat and compact, perfect for edging or mass planting. Its lustrous leaves are narrow and pointed, offering year-round texture and interest. In late winter, its inconspicuous but powerfully scented blooms are followed by shiny black berries that add extra ornamental value. Sweet & Lo™ is beloved not only for its fragrance but also for its resilience and tidy, mounded form that looks fantastic in groups.

Native to Asia, Sweet Box has long been cherished in gardens for its winter fragrance and shade tolerance. It belongs to the Boxwood family (Buxaceae), giving it a refined evergreen quality without the need for shearing.

Key Features

• Compact broad-leaved evergreen shrub
• Grows 2-3 feet tall and wide with a tidy habit
• Powerfully fragrant white winter flowers with a vanilla-jasmine scent
• Glossy dark green foliage with black berries in spring
• Shade-loving, low-maintenance choice for year-round interest

Landscaping Uses

Sweet & Lo™ Sweet Box is a must-have for shady garden spots and small spaces. Its fragrance alone makes it worth planting near walkways, patios, and entryways. This compact beauty grows just 2-3 feet tall and wide, making it a tidy, low-growing addition to shady beds, borders, and woodland gardens.

• Ideal for shady foundation plantings
• Mass planted as a fragrant evergreen groundcover
• Perfect edging for shaded borders and pathways
• Container accent for shaded patios or courtyards
• Shrubs for shade companion with Ferns, Hostas, and Astilbe

Care & Maintenance

Sweet & Lo™ Sweet Box thrives in USDA zones 5-9. This is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub that handles shade beautifully while keeping a tidy, compact form. It's easy-care, fragrant, and resilient in a variety of settings.

• Planting Time: Best in spring or fall for root establishment
• Sun Requirements: Partial to full shade - avoid hot afternoon sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, rich soils; tolerates clay if drainage is good
• Moisture Needs: Keep evenly moist; use the Finger Test. New plants need consistent watering in their first year
• Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to conserve moisture and insulate roots
• Fertilization Needs: Feed in spring with compost or a balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer
• Pruning Info: Minimal pruning needed - lightly shape after flowering if desired
• Special Perks: Shade-tolerant, low-maintenance, pest and disease-resistant, fragrant winter blooms, evergreen foliage for year-round structure

Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong mycorrhizal symbiotic root support.

Sweet Fragrance, Low-Growing Charm

Plant the Proven Winners® Sweet & Lo™ Sweet Box and enjoy a shady garden staple with unforgettable winter fragrance. Order your Sweet & Lo™ Sweet Box today from and bring year-round evergreen beauty with a fragrant surprise to your garden!