Skimmia japonica Thunb.

Variable, spreading to erect, slightly aromatic shrub to 3 m tall. Leaves 7-10 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, ovate to obovate with translucent dots below. Flower clusters terminal, males and females on different plants. Fruits round, bright red, about 1 cm wide.

E Asia

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Rutaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Hero image
Distribution map

Skimmia japonica 'Bronze Knight'

Male plant with winter reddening of buds and upper leaves.

Originated in Waterer's Nursery, UK.

Skimmia japonica 'Fragrans'

Upright and densely foliaged. A male clone. Flowers strongly scented.

Originated in Japan, introduced to the West by Robert Fortune in 1861.

Skimmia japonica 'Nymans'

Female clone with slender, pointed leaves and producing fruit prolifically.

Introduced c. 1934 by Nyman's Nursery, UK.

kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Rosanae
order      Sapindales
family       Rutaceae
genus        Skimmia Thunb.
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa