Glossy evergreen shrub with tiny white flowers of astonishing fragrance in deepest winter, followed by glossy black berries. The fragrance carries on cold still air to surprising distances.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 6–9 | −23.3 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H5 | −15 °C to −10 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 6–8 | −18 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 2–5 | −10 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Flowers December–February in much of the Northern Hemisphere — a key plant for marking the deep midwinter
- Fragrance is famously disproportionate to flower size — site close to paths and entrances where it will be encountered
- Shade tolerant and tough — succeeds under trees and in north-facing positions where little else flowers in winter
- Slow to establish but extremely long lived
Pet caution: Sweet box is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Sweet box against your zones