shrub · design plant record

Sarcococca confusa

Sweet box

An evergreen mound with small fragrant winter flowers; useful where its eventual width fits.

Height at maturity

0.91–1.53 m (3–5 ft)

Spread at maturity

0.91–1.53 m (3–5 ft)

Light

Part shade / Shade

Moisture

Drier soil after establishment / Moist, draining soil

Source-reported USDA zones

6–9 · verify subzone and cultivar

The detailed source range begins at USDA 6b, not 6a. Whole-zone filtering is only a shortlist; verify your subzone.

Principal seasonal role

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

Fit it to the site

Moist, draining soil; tolerant of several soil types. Established plants tolerate some dryness in shade.

Reject a cold site outside the verified subzone range. Test fragrance with users before putting it beside a compulsory path.

Keep the care in the decision

Leave room for the loose young plant to become denser. Check establishment moisture and keep growth clear of routes.

Origin & safety checks

Origin uncertain; believed to have Chinese ancestry and possibly hybrid origin.

Berries are not an edible recommendation. Toxicity and pet safety are not assessed here.

Check current invasive restrictions with your local plant-health or extension authority. For pets, use the exact botanical name in a veterinary toxicity reference; for potential ingestion or exposure, get appropriate professional advice rather than relying on a design guide.