Japanese Skimmia         SKIM-ee-a ja-PON-i-ka

• Evergreen shrub, 2-4 ft (0.6-1.2 m), dense, rounded, dome-shaped.   Leaves alternate, simple, at end of branches to give a whorled look, 6-13 cm long, dark green above and yellow-green below, aromatic when bruised.  Dioecious (male and female plants), creamy-white flowers open in spring; those on male plants are larger and more fragrant than female.   Fruit (female plants only), 8 mm diam., usually red, some white.
• Part shade to shade, may get bleached out in sun; prefers moist, acid, high organic matter soils, but may also thrive in limestone soils.  One male plants per six female plants needed for good fruit set.  Frequently suffers from spider mites.
• Skimmia reevesiana (Reeves Skimmia) is similar, but lower growing, self-fertile, with dull crimson fruit.
• Hardy to USDA Zone (6)7      Native to Japan
• The entire plant is poisonous, causing cardiac arrest.  The red fruit is the usual cause of poisoning.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: north side of Strand Ag. Hall.