What is a Sarcococca?
A Sarcococca is a plant in the genus of the same name. The common name for this genus is “sweet box,” and a number of individual species are cultivated as ornamental plants. Sarcococcas flourish in USDA zones six to 11, depending on the species, generally preferring shady spots, especially in areas which get a lot of sun every year. Gardening stores in these regions sometimes carry a cultivar or two, and the plant can also be ordered directly through nursery suppliers. This plant is in the box family, Buxaceae, and it is a close relative of the boxwoods, a large group of shrubs and small trees. Sarcococca tends to be a low-growing shrub or a groundcover, depending on the species, with dark green very glossy leaves which superficially resemble those of citrus fruit. The flowers are white, and they emit a very sweet, rich fragrance which tends to be quite mild. One advantage to these plants is that they require little maintenance, preferring to be planted and then largely left alone. One
