Is Japanese skimmia hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Banská Bystrica Region, Košice Region, Prešov Region, Trenčín Region, Žilina Region) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should Japanese skimmia be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Japanese skimmia flower?

Flowering: April–May, white, pink.

How much water does Japanese skimmia need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

Japanese skimmia

Skimmia japonica

Japanese skimmia (Skimmia japonica) is a shrub. Light: part shade, shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to children.

Illustration of Japanese skimmia — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A slow-growing, dense, dome-shaped evergreen shrub with leathery dark green leaves that brightens a shady corner all year: its buds show as reddish or pink beads from autumn through winter, open into fragrant white flower clusters in spring, and female plants carry bright red berries in autumn that last through winter. Plants are either male or female, so for berries you need a male near the females; the widely sold 'Rubella' is a male grown for its buds. Give it part or full shade, shelter from wind and loose, humus-rich, acidic to neutral, well-drained soil; it also does well in a pot, but sulks in hot sun and limy soil.

Watch out for

On the often limy, alkaline soils of Central Europe its leaves yellow (chlorosis), so plant it in acidic or ericaceous soil and water it with lime-free water. In hot sun and on dry, cold, sunny winter days the leaves scorch, and hard frosts below -18 °C can damage plants in exposed spots, so it needs a sheltered, shady place and winter cover; overwinter potted plants somewhere frost-free and light. In hot, dry summers spider mites attack it, scale insects and aphids now and then, and root rot can kill it in waterlogged soil.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 80 cm × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white, pink

Group	Shrub
Light	Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	80 cm × 1 m
Ultimate size	0.6–2 m × 0.9–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white, pink
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	70 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Toxic
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 19, 2026 · How our data is made

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