shrub

Sweet & Lo Sweet Box

Name: Sweet & Lo Sweet Box
Brand: Sarcococca
Availability: InStock

Sarcococca hookeriana 'Sweet & Lo'

$23.99

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

30 inches

Width

36 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Long-lived evergreen shrub

Native To

Himalayas, China

Toxicity

Berries are mildly toxic if ingested

The Story

Plant Bio

Sarcococca hookeriana, or Sweet Box, is a low-growing, suckering evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, lance-shaped leaves and intensely fragrant but inconspicuous flowers that bloom in late winter. 'Sweet & Lo' is a particularly compact and dense cultivar that forms a tidy, uniform groundcover. Its slow-spreading habit makes it a well-behaved and low-maintenance choice for small-scale groundcover in shade.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Provides year-round beauty with its lustrous, deep green evergreen foliage. Its greatest asset is the powerful, sweet fragrance that fills the garden in late winter when little else is in bloom.

Its dense, suckering habit makes it an excellent, weed-suppressing groundcover for shady areas. It is also a good choice for low, informal hedging in shade.

The late-winter flowers provide an early nectar source for brave bees and other insects emerging on warm days. The small black berries that follow are eaten by birds.

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in partial to full shade with rich, moist soil.
Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
Set the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil.
Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly.
Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture.

Pro Tip

Plant it near an entryway, path, or window where its powerful, sweet vanilla fragrance can be appreciated during the winter months.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistently moist, well-drained soil.
Plant in a location protected from harsh winter winds.
Amend soil with organic matter at planting time.
Allow it to naturalize slowly as a groundcover.

Don't

Do not plant in direct, hot sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
Don't plant in heavy, waterlogged clay soil.
Avoid heavy pruning, as it's generally not needed and can spoil the natural form.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Intensely fragrant winter-blooming groundcoverElegant foundation planting for shady areasLush underplanting for woodland gardens

Companion Plants

Helleborus orientalis Hostas Ferns (e.g., Dryopteris erythrosora) Pulmonaria Epimedium

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sweet & Lo Sweet Box questions

What zones can Sweet & Lo Sweet Box grow in?

Sweet & Lo Sweet Box is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Sweet & Lo Sweet Box deer resistant?

Yes — Sweet & Lo Sweet Box is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Sweet & Lo Sweet Box bloom?

Sweet & Lo Sweet Box typically blooms in late winter through early spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Sweet & Lo Sweet Box need full sun?

Sweet & Lo Sweet Box does best in part shade.