About
Skimmia japonica 'Red Princess' is a compact evergreen shrub, reaching a height of approximately 90 cm. It features elliptic, leathery leaves that emit a pleasant aroma when crushed. In spring, small white flowers bloom from deep red buds, and if pollinated, these give way to vibrant red berries in the autumn season.
About the genus
Skimmia consists of compact evergreen shrubs characterized by their aromatic, simple leaves. These plants produce terminal clusters of small white or yellowish flowers. When pollination occurs on female plants, these flowers give way to glossy red berries. Typically, Skimmia features distinct male and female flowers on separate individuals.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
- Fragrance
- Flower, Foliage
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil, in light to full shade; prefers acidic to neutral soils but will tolerate alkaline soils where there is plenty of humus. Plants may become chlorotic on poor, dry soil or in too much sun. This cultivar produces female flowers, plant a male cultivar nearby to ensure pollination and berries
- Pruning
- Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 8 (evergreens) if necessary
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects, and to vine weevil when grown in containers
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Phytophthora and honey fungus