Skimmia japonica Pabella - Japanese Skimmia

Skimmia japonica 'Pabella' is a very compact bush, with its beautiful glossy green evergreen foliage providing ornamental appeal throughout the year. In spring, it produces panicles of very small fragrant white flowers. This honey-producing flowering attracts pollinating insects, and after pollination by a male plant, it develops into clusters of small spherical bright red fruits in autumn. These highly decorative fruits stay on the plant throughout winter. Skimmia is ideal for enhancing semi-shaded and shaded areas, in moist, acidic soils. It is quite hardy and can be easily grown in pots in regions that are otherwise too cold, allowing it to be sheltered in winter.

Skimmia belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes over 150 diverse genera, including trees, bushes, and herbaceous plants. In addition to citrus trees, this botanical family includes ornamental plants such as Choysia and Ptelea (Samarian Elm). The Skimmia genus is native to the Himalayan regions and Southeast Asia, while the species S. japonica originates from Japan, the Russian island of Sakhalin, Taiwan, and possibly also from the large island of Luzon in the Philippines. There, it grows in forests, often as an epiphyte, particularly on old Cryptomerias in Japan, from where it was introduced to Europe in 1861 by the famous botanist Robert Fortune. It is a dioecious bush, with female and male flowers borne on separate plants, featuring early, fragrant flowering and decorative fruits (on female plants).
'Pabella' is a natural female mutation of the male variety 'Rubella', discovered in the nursery of Roland van der Werf in the Netherlands. Introduced to the market in 2017, it immediately received a "Glazen Tulp Award" from the Flora Holland organisation. This bush is indeed very attractive, primarily for its nearly spherical habit, being as wide as it is tall, and less spreading than most other varieties. With slow growth, it reaches approximately 80 cm in all directions within ten years of planting, and at maturity, it may eventually exceed one metre. Its foliage consists of evergreen, oblong leaves measuring 7-8 cm long, leathery, and dark green with a glossy surface. They are alternately arranged on the branches which are also dark green. In March-April, panicles of very small white flowers develop, slightly fragrant but less than the male varieties. Although less abundant than in 'Rubella', the flowering is nonetheless well accentuated by the dark foliage. The flowers will be fertilised if a male plant is planted nearby (it is estimated that one male plant can fertilise five females), such as 'Rubella' or Skimmia japonica 'Kew Green'. This will allow you to enjoy the profusion of flowers and the stronger fragrance of the male plant, as well as to obtain decorative fruits from 'Pabella'. In autumn, clusters of very bright red spheres develop, forming a magnificent contrast with the foliage. These highly ornamental fruits remain on the plant for a long time, often until the beginning of the following year, thus prolonging the display.

Skimmia japonica 'Pabella' is a true gem for small gardens and shaded spaces. Easy to cultivate, its only requirement is a lime-free, moist soil, without excess water. If that is not possible, you can simply grow it in a pot, which will also allow you to shelter it in case of severe frost. In the garden, it will thrive in a peat soil bed, alongside Rhododendrons and Azaleas that will offer you their lush spring flowering. Also consider Kalmias or mountain laurels, which are less well-known but equally attractive with their very original flowers in May and June. For summer, Hydrangea serrata 'Blue Bird', a flat-headed Hydrangea, will delight you with its inflorescences ranging from pink to blue depending on the acidity of your soil. And to accompany the fruiting of your little Skimmia, nothing beats an Autumn Camellia (Camellia sasanqua), which will complete your four-season display.