What: Skimmia Japonica
This evergreen shrub that produces white flowers in May and June and bright red berries in the fall and winter. The female plant produces the berries when a separate male pollinizer plant is nearby. The photo shows the male in the foreground surrounded by the berry covered female plants. The leaves are aromatic and all parts are poisonous if eaten in a large quantity. Skimmia requires acidic soil and benefits from a planting hole rich in compost.
Sun or shade: Full or part shade is required as skimmia will scorch in the sun.
Size: Low growing, it makes a perfect hedge or front-of-the border planting. It grow slowly to 3-to-4 feet high and as wide.
See it: At the Evergreen Arboretum &Gardens, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett www.evergreenarboretum.com, 425-257-8597.
Source: Sandra Schumacher, special for The Herald
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