Sarcococca confusa

sweet box

• Position: partial to deep shade
• Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: slow-growing to average
• Flowering period: December to March
• Flower colour: white
• Other features: the flowers are followed by spherical, glossy, black berries
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Sweetly scented, pure white flowers from December to March and lustrous, dark green leaves. This wonderful, winter-flowering, dense, evergreen shrub is perfect for a shady border or woodland garden. To fully appreciate the fabulous, vanilla-like fragrance plant in moist, well-drained soil close to an entrance or path. Copes well with dry shade and urban-pollution.
  
  
• Garden care: In late winter or early spring lightly trim or prune back shoots that spoil the plant's symmetry. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant.