Sunset does not recommend this one north of zone 32, and NCSU says it stops at USDA zone 7, but my other sources claim this plant should be perfectly hardy here (Dirr even rates it to USDA zone 5), and I have seen local plantings of what I'm pretty sure were this. However, the sweetbox is susceptible to boxwood blight (otherwise known as the reason garden centers around here stopped guaranteeing the boxwoods they sell), so it may not even be worth it anyway.
Malodorous stems when bruised. Flowers are intensely fragrant with notes of indole, vanilla, and fruit.
'Fragrant Valley' and the straight variety are both winners of the PHS Gold Medal Award.
Sources: Sunset, Dirr, JerseyYards.org, Missouri BG, NCSU, AHS, Druse.
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