Where is the best place to plant Skimmia?
Choosing skimmias Skimmias are one of the best low-maintenance, slow-growing, hardy evergreen shrubs for shadier borders. They are also a good choice for container planting in north-facing situations. Smaller plants are useful for window boxes or hanging baskets in winter. Pruning. Skimmia needs little pruning, but if you want to reduce the size, or take out a few shoots growing at funny angles, the best time to do this is between mid spring and late summer when your plant is actively growing. Don’t get too carried away though, as you’ll ruin the natural shape.So why are Skimmia so useful to us? At first glance those rather leathery looking leaves are mid-green and seem fairly ordinary. But those tough leaves are very wind and shade tolerant. They will even put up with salt laden winds when planted close to the coast!Skimmias are tough plants and can be moved with a high chance of success. The best time to move it is in late autumn but before the frosts arrive. If the plant is too big to move, prune it in spring and then move it in autumn, don’t prune it in autumn.Your skimmia does not need much pruning. If there are old branches and leaves, it is advisable to prune them.
Where should I plant Skimmia?
Skimmias prefer a position in light shade, but they will tolerate deeper shade or sunny spots. Only some, such as Skimia ‘Kew Green’, will grow well in full sun. Plant them in any soil as long as it’s not too wet or very dry. With proper care, Skimmia can thrive for 20-30 years, enhancing your garden’s beauty.Companion Planting Partner it with spring-flowering bulbs like snowdrops, cyclamen, and wood anemones that will naturalise beneath its canopy and extend the season of interest. The delicate fronds of ferns such as Dryopteris and Polystichum provide wonderful textural contrast against the bold, glossy skimmia foliage.Young skimmia plants need watering at least every fortnight until their roots are well established. Once established, the skimmia plant only needs to be watered during longer dry spells. One application of slow-release fertiliser a year in spring is sufficient for healthy growth.Skimmia grow best in organically rich, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade, but they can also tolerate sun-dappled conditions. However, the foliage may scorch in full sun, and they will be less drought tolerant in too much sun.
Can Skimmia be grown in pots?
Skimmia is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves, bright winter berries and then white flowers in late spring. They give a great deal to each season in the garden and also look good in pots and containers plus they can be planted at any time of the year as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Skimmia japonica, commonly called Japanese skimmia, is a dense, mounded, broad-leaved evergreen shrub that matures to 3-4′ tall and to 5′ wide. Female plants typically spread more than male plants.If in doubt, look for popular and readily available Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’. A male variety, it makes a good pollination partner for a berry-bearing female variety, such as free-fruiting scarlet S. Nymans’ or the varieties with pearl-like white berries, such as ‘Kew White’ and ‘Wakehurst White’.
How do you care for Skimmia after flowering?
Skimmia prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil, so avoid chalky conditions unless supplemented with ericaceous compost. Water well after planting and keep the soil consistently moist, especially in dry spells. Minimal pruning is required, but you can lightly trim after flowering to maintain a compact shape. Growing skimmia: problem solving Yellowing or pale leaves, sometimes coupled with spindly growth, are likely to be a result of dry conditions or poor soil. Correct by improving the soil with an annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter or move the plant to a better position.Skimmia prefer a position in shade and can even tolerate positions in deep shade. Definitely avoid planting in full sun as it can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Can Skimmia grow in full shade?
Skimmia Shrub Description In spring, they bloom into masses of pretty, ivory flowers with vibrant pink-red stems. Wonderfully low-maintenance, Skimmia is best suited to moist but well-drained soil and partial shade, but also grows well in full shade. Skimmia is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves, bright winter berries and then white flowers in late spring. They give a great deal to each season in the garden and also look good in pots and containers plus they can be planted at any time of the year as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.These slow-growing shrubs are excellent for structure in the border or in pots, forming rounded mounds of oval, leathery, dark green or reddish green leaves. Large clusters of white or greenish flowers, borne in spring, are often very fragrant. Skimmia varieties are male, female, or hermaphrodite.
How deep are the roots of a Skimmia plant?
Skimmia plants typically have shallow roots, averaging between 12 to 18 inches deep. This shallow root system means they require careful attention to watering and soil conditions. Another beneficial side to growing Skimmia is that they grow well in full shade, so if you have an area in your garden that you are unsure what will grow in, Skimmia can be a good choice. They can tolerate part shade but not full sun.The naturally neat and compact growth of Skimmia means it does not require pruning. Skimmia will tolerate a light trim, but it may not survive a regenerative hard prune. Prune after flowering, but be aware you may sacrifice the autumn display of berries.Skimmia is ideal for growing in containers. Compact and slow growing, Skimmia can remain in the same container for a number of years. Skimmia is fairly drought tolerant, more so when grown in open ground. In containers, Skimmia requires watering until established and may need watering in a prolonged drought.