A fragrant plant for the garden at this time of year is the evergreen shrub Sarcococca, which has been named HTA Plant of the Month for December.

Commonly known as ‘Sweet Box’ or ‘Christmas box’ this plant has delicate white flowers that bloom over winter and early Spring. Perfect planted by the edge of a path or close to the front door, where its stunning vanilla scent and glossy green foliage can be fully appreciated, this winter-flowering, dense, evergreen shrub can be planted alongside other winter gems such as hellebores and cyclamen.

Sarcococca makes a great addition to a winter garden as it’s a tough, reliable plant that is very easy to grow. It can be planted in a border, in containers or as ground cover and will grow well in shade. It grows slowly and gradually to form low-growing mounds of evergreen foliage, with red and black berries once flowering has finished. Sarcococca confusa is a species of flowering plant in the Buxaceae family and is ideal for neat, clipped edging borders and works well in containers. It is fully hardy, compact and will eventually form a dense thicket.

Former Chanel model and founder of The Edible Bus Stop Mak Gilchrist is a real fan, she says “Sarcococca has incredibly intense scent and thrives at a time of year where there is little scent in the garden. I particularly like that about it. It's a sensuous indulgence in the deep mid winter.”

Recommended RHS AGM varieties to plant include: Sarcococca Confusa Sarcococca Hookeriana Digyna Purple Stem Sarcococca Hookeriana Hookeriana Ghorepani Sarcococca Ruscifolia Chinensis Dragon Gate Nominated and agreed upon by British growers and retailers, the HTA’s Plant of the Month campaign highlights the plants that are widely available and looking especially good each month.

For more information, please visit www.the-hta.org.uk/plantofthemonth