Himalayan Sweet Box 

Fragrant white flowers and shiny black fruit appear at the same time.

This low broadleaf evergreens are perfect for shady areas.

Fragrant flowers appear in winter and continue into spring.

Flowers are not fancy, but they sure smell delightful.

Birds love the shiny black berries.

Common Name:  Himalayan sweet box
Botanical Name: Sarcococca hookeriana 
Form:   vase
Family: Buxaceae
Genus: Sarcococca
Species: hookeriana
Plant Type:  broadleaf evergreen
Mature Size: 2 to 5 feet x 2 to 6 feet
Growth: medium
Origin: Himalayas, China
Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8
Foliage: 3 1/2" long x to 3/4" wide, deep green, leathery and evergreen with a pointed tip. 
Flowers: ½ inch long, white tubular fragrant flowers in leaf axils in winter into April. Monoecious, male and female flowers on the same plant.
Fruit: red berries that ripen into 1/3 inch shiny black fruit
Stems: green
Exposure: partial shade to shade
Soil: moist
Uses: groundcover, woodlands, fragrant gardens, shrub border, low hedge, naturalizing, shady slopes, winter interest, foundation planting, erosion control, dry shade, massing.   
Propagation:  underground runners, semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Pruning: after flowers to keep plants compact
​Problems:  none
Cultivars: Dwarf sweet box, S. hookeriana var. humilis, is low growing and compact, 1-2 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet.
Comments: This versatile shade loving broadleaf evergreen shrub looks good all year long. It’s small, white tubular fragrant flowers blossom start flowering in the beginning of the year and into the spring. Their showy, shiny black berries are attractive and linger on the plants. Plants slowly spread through underground suckers, but not considered invasive. Does well in moist soil and benefits from being mulched. Water in extreme heat.