Perfect for giving all45year interest in a shady spot in the garden skimmia japonica 39rubella39 makes a neat mound of glossy rosettes of aromatic evergreen foliage distinctive red buds bring colour throughout the winter months opening as deliciously fragrant white blooms in spring this shrub is easy to grow in neutral or acidic soil or can be grown in a container on the patio in ericaceous compost tough and long lasting skimmia is a good choice for beginner gardeners height and