Skimmia japonica is the classic winter pot shrub: a compact evergreen with glossy leaves and tight clusters of flower buds that colour up in autumn, hold all winter and open into scented white flowers in spring. Choose 'Rubella' for deep red buds, 'Finchy' for paler buds, or a duo of both, from 10.5cm pots for window boxes up to 60cm plants in 19cm pots for doorsteps. Free tracked delivery to 25 EU countries.
Which skimmia should I choose?
| Option | Sizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 'Rubella' | Single plants and pairs in 19cm pots (about 60cm); packs of 2 and 3 in 15cm pots (about 30cm); packs of 3 in 10.5cm pots (20–25cm) | Deep red winter buds, the classic Christmas pot plant |
| 'Finchy' | Single plants and pairs in 19cm pots; packs of 2 and 3 in 15cm pots | Paler buds and a softer look in shady pots |
| 'Rubella' and 'Finchy' duo | Pairs in 19cm or 15cm pots | A contrasting pair either side of a front door |
Do these skimmias have berries?
No. 'Rubella' and 'Finchy' are male plants, grown for their winter buds and spring scent, so they do not produce berries. For red berries, pair them with Gaultheria 'Big Berry' or firethorn from our festive red buds and berries.
Planting and care
Skimmias like part shade or shade, shelter from hot afternoon sun and drying winds, and moist, well-drained, lime-free soil. In pots, use ericaceous (lime-free) compost and a container with drainage holes, water with rainwater where you can, and keep the compost moist but never waterlogged. Yellowing leaves usually mean too much sun or limy compost. When the flowers fade in spring, plant them out in a shady border or move them up a pot size.
All parts are harmful if eaten, so keep skimmia away from children and from pets that chew plants.
Frequently asked questions
Can skimmia come indoors for Christmas?
It is an outdoor shrub. A pot can come into a cool, bright room for a few days over Christmas, away from radiators, but it lasts best back outside soon after.
Is skimmia hardy?
Yes. It is a hardy evergreen that copes with frost. In a pot, the roots are more exposed, so move pots against a sheltered wall during hard freezes.
How do I use skimmia in a winter pot?
Use one 60cm plant as the centrepiece of a large pot, or three smaller plants in a window box, and fill around them with trailing ivy and evergreen grasses. Our winter planter guide has tried-and-tested combinations, and you will find the fillers in plants for winter pots.
Part of our Christmas and winter plants range. For gift ideas and last-order dates, read the Christmas plants guide.