What is it? A hardy, dome-shaped evergreen shrub up to 1m tall with clusters of greenish-white flowers. Those flowers are furled into tightly-packed buds, but come spring they burst open and into bloom. Helpfully, for those of us wishing to liven up the winter garden, the buds are just as attractive.
Plant it with? Looks great with the lime-green flowers of Helleborus foetidus, winter-flowering clematis and other evergreen shrubs such as sweet box (sarcococca).
And where? In fertile, well-drained soil. Too much sun and an alkaline soil will turn the leaves yellow.
Any drawbacks? 'Kew Green' is a male cultivar, so unlike with female skimmias, berries won't follow the flowers.
What else does it do? The flowers are scented, and the leaves are aromatic. And it will help pollinate female, berry-producing skimmias.
Buy it Buy one plant for £9.99, or two for £13.98, including free p&p. Call 0330 333 6856, quoting ref GUA620. Supplied from March as 9cm potted plants.