Japanese Skimmia Skimmia japonica

Japanese skimmia is a slow-growing, shade-loving, broadleaf evergreen shrub that provides multi-season interest in the landscape. It grows from 2 feet to 7 feet tall and about 5 feet wide. It is a dense and mounding shrub with leathery ovate dark green leaves that are clustered at the branch ends. Fragrant creamy white flowers appear in the spring, and red drupes ripen in the fall and will persist through the winter. There are female and male plants. The male shrub tends to have larger flowers, and the female shrub tends to spread and has red drupes. It is a member of the Rutaceae family or citrus family.

The genus name, Skimmia, originates from the Japanese name Shikimi. The epithet, japonica, means "of Japan." 

Japanese skimmia is native to Japan, Kuril Island, Nansei-Shoto, Primorye, Sakhalin, and Taiwan.

Plant this shrub in rich, acidic, well-drained soils in part to full shade. The leaves will scorch in the full sun. It prefers morning sun then dappled shade for the rest of the day and performs best in sun-dappled areas of the landscape. It is recommended that one male plant should be planted for every six female shrubs to obtain good fruit production. 

The leaves have a spicy scent when crushed. The male flowers tend to be more fragrant than the female flowers. The attractive red berries are poisonous and should not be ingested. This is a low-maintenance shrub and is tolerant of pollution.

Consider the fragrant and shade-loving Japanese skimmia as a specimen, foundation planting, border planting, hedge, or an understory shrub for large trees. It may also be used for mass plantings, containers, patios, or used in bonsai.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring            Foliage:  Year-round              Fruits:  Fall and Winter

Quick ID Hints:

• dense, mounded, broadleaf evergreen shrub up to 6-7 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide
• bark and buds are green-tinged and reddish-purple
• the leaves are fragrant, leathery, elliptical, entire margins sometimes crenate, dark green upper surface, and yellow-green beneath
• leaves are clustered and whorled at the end of the branch
• fragrant, creamy white flowers bloom in rounded panicles at the branch tips
• female flowers produce red drupes in the fall that persist through winter

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant has no serious insect or disease concerns: however, spider mites can be problematic in very warm and dry climates. Scale and aphids can occur. 

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University