Japanese Skimmia

Skimmia japonica is a shrub for year round interest with its handsome, glossy foliage and fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by lustrous red berries in winter. Only female plants produce the showy berries. One male for every six female plants is necessary for good fruit production. This is a beautiful shrub to grow in an open woodland garden as well as in containers and window boxes. Make sure you site them where the fruit is in view during winter. Berries are not edible. Prefers moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter and part shade.