Sweetbox

Common name: Sweetbox

* Botanical name: Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

* What it is: A low, spreading, under-used broadleaf evergreen with woody stems and upright dark-green leaves that come to a soft point. Not to be confused with boxwood, which is bigger and more rounded in habit. Sweetbox gets small, white, fragrant flowers in late March to early April.

* Size: 12-18 inches tall, space 2½-3 feet apart.

* Where to use: Any shady area where you want to stop mulching. Good as shrub underplanting along a north or east foundation or massed under trees in a wooded or shady setting. Competes well with tree roots. Part to full shade.

* Care: Keep damp the first season, then water usually not needed. Work compost into soil at planting, then fertilizer usually not needed. Not invasive, but you may eventually need to sever the leading edge of spread once the plants creep as far as you want.

* Great partner: Underneath a Japanese maple, dogwood, redbud or tall viburnum.