Skimmia japonica 'OLYMPIC FLAME'

Japanese skimmia is one gorgeous evergreen plant of low size which does even better with a bit of neglect. Olympic Flame is a female variety which produces number of vivid red spherical fruits from autumn till spring if a male pollinator (e.g. variety Rubella) is present. One male plant is sufficient for 6 female plants. Deep green leaves are elliptic and leathery. The plant grows slowly, making an attractive ground cover. Ideal for Japanese style gardens.

If you plant it well you needn’t look after it any longer except for occasional watering in dry spells. There are a few rules you have to obey if you want your skimmia look perfect: the soil has to be always moist but extremely well-drained, acidic (add peat) and light (add leaf mould), humus-rich. The best location is dappled shade or even deep shade (shady back of your house or under thick canopies of tall trees). They will take full sun only if given perfect ericaceous soil and high air humidity. When leaves turn pale or yellow the plant suffers from too much sun or water, or too little nutrients in the soil which should be acidic. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution. The plant is poisonous. Hardy to min. -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 28-12-2008