There is a large planting of it at one of our parks in Monmouth County, NJ and it is very healthy. Parts of the park are considered 6b, parts 7a.

There are different varieties - s. confusa (sometimes labeled s. ruscifolia) and s.hookeriana (as well as s. hookeriana humilis - Himalayan sweet box). And, frankly, I'm finding confusing information on these, too. But my recollection, which is borne out by most of the online information I've found, is that s. hookeriana is slightly more cold-tolerant.

If you have a somewhat protected spot, and are a bit of a gambler ... and you can find some s. hookeriana ... I'd say give it a try.

I was in another forum and hottohort actually recommended this plant to me. She's been gardening for 10yrs in Brooklyn and said it worked for her. See the link below for all of her recoommendations. I think the micro climate in our might actually bump us up another zone.