Skimmia

Ornamental evergreen shrubs, suitable for shady corners of the garden, but also with some forms useful as a pot patio plant. Clusters of often scented flowers, red, cream or green, at the tips of growth, during late winter into spring. Most have male and female flowers on separate plants, so two plants maybe required to produce the colourful fruits. Some forms are hermaphrodite (flowers contain male and female parts), like Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana  so doesn't need a pollinating partner. Underrated plants, tough, colourful and they don't need much pruning or attention. Foliage is also very scented, which is very typical of its family.