Origin
The Skimmia japonica, also known as the Japanese skimmia, is an evergreen shrub originally from the Far East, particularly Japan, China, and the Himalayas. This plant is often found in forests, on mountains, and along streams at altitudes of 600 to 1800 meters, where they flourish in a cool and humid climate.

Characteristics
The Japanese skimmia is a compact shrub that can grow approximately 1 to 2 meters tall in nature. It has glossy, oval-shaped leaves that are about 10 cm long, being dark green on the upper side and lighter on the underside. The plant is dioecious and produces graceful flower clusters with either female white-pink flowers, or male white flowers that emit a strong, pleasant smell. The male plants develop noticeable, red berries in autumn.

Care
For the care of the Skimmia japonica, it is important to know that this shrub performs best in shade or partial shade. The plant can cope well with most types of soil, as long as they are well-drained. It is also tolerant of drought, but performs better with regular watering. This plant is hardy and requires minimal maintenance in the winter. Pruning of the shrub is mainly for shaping and is best done in the spring, after flowering.