Skimmia
| Skimmia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genus: | Skimmia |
| Type: | Shrubs |
| Soil requirements: | Moist, fertile, well-drained |
| Propagation: | Layering, cuttings |
| Transplant: | Easily moved |
| Pest issues: | rare |
| Bloom season: | Early spring |
| Fruit season: | Winter |
Skimmia is a genus of four species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the Rue family, Rutaceae, all native to warm temperate regions of Asia.
Description[edit | edit source]
The leaves are clustered at the ends of the shoots, simple lanceolate, 6-21 cm long and 2-5 cm broad, with a smooth margin. The flowers are borne in dense panicles, each flower small, 6-15 mm diameter, with 4-7 petals. The fruit is a red to black drupe 6-12 mm diameter, containing a single seed. All parts of the plant have a pungent aroma when crushed.
Growing conditions[edit | edit source]
Species[edit | edit source]
- Species and subspecies
- Skimmia anquetilia. Western Himalaya to Afghanistan. Shrub to 2 m.
- Skimmia arborescens. Eastern Himalaya to southeast Asia. Shrub or small tree to 15 m.
- Skimmia japonica. Japan, Korea, China. Shrub to 7 m.
- Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana (syn. S. reevesiana)
- Skimmia laureola. Nepal to Vietnam and China. Shrub or small tree to 13 m.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Skimmias are grown as garden plants for their foliage, flowers, and showy red fruits. They are grown in shade, with moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils. They are tolerant of both drought and air pollution. A large number of cultivars have been selected for garden use:
- Skimmia japonica 'Emerald King'
- Skimmia japonica 'Fragrans'
- Skimmia japonica 'Keessen'
- Skimmia japonica 'Kew White'
- Skimmia japonica 'Nymans'
- Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'
- Skimmia japonica 'Rubinetta'
- Skimmia japonica 'Ruby Dome'
- Skimmia japonica 'Wanto'
- Skimmia japonica 'White Gerpa'
- Skimmia japonica 'Veitchii'
- Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana 'Ruby King'
Maintenance[edit | edit source]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Harvesting[edit | edit source]
Pests and diseases[edit | edit source]
Skimmias are fed on by Aphids, the Horse Chestnut Scale, the Garden Leafhopper, and the Southern Red Mite.
