Skimmia Japonica

Skimmia japonica, the Japanese skimmia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, native to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall and wide, it is a rounded evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. Its fragrant flowers can be cream-yellow to white, followed on female plants by small, round, red fruits. The plant tolerates a wide range of conditions, including frost, drought, and atmospheric pollution. It is suitable for bonsai and for Chinese gardens.

Many cultivars have been developed for ornamental garden use, including varieties which are significantly more compact than their parents. These cultivars have gained theRoyal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Rounded bush with a height of between 1 to 1.5 m, slow growing. Perennial leaves, elliptic to oblong-obovate, up to 12 cm in length, whole margin or scarcely creased, coriaceous texture. Spring bloom, with white-yellowish flowers sometimes with pink or reddish tints, with 4-5 tepalos, very perfumed, followed by bright red berries on the very striking female feet that persist throughout the winter (the birds despise them) . It is a dioecious plant. In the 'Rubella' variety the leaves take a reddish coloration in winter and the flowers are red before opening.

CULTIVATION
Substrate: soil rich in humus without active lime; heather soil may be used; water should not be lacking if the plants are in the sun.
Situation: sun or semi-shade Zone: 7 (hold the cold)
Maintenance: Pruning is not necessary, but it supports it.
Multiplication: heel cutting in July-August, sowing berries in September, in heath land in cold greenhouse.