Skimmia Plant Care How To Grow Japanese Skimmia Shrubs

Japanese skimmia are well-suited to growing in containers thanks to their slow growth habit. When growing Japanese skimmia in containers it is especially important to water the shrub regularly and keep the soil moist as they can dry out more quickly in containers.

Does skimmia need ericaceous soil?
How do you care for a skimmia plant?
Do you deadhead skimmia?
When should I cut back skimmia?
What is the best soil for skimmia?
Do I need male and female skimmia?
How tall does skimmia grow?
Can birds eat skimmia berries?
Is skimmia an evergreen?
Why are the leaves on my skimmia turning yellow?
How do you prune a skimmia Bush?
What plants go well with skimmia?

Does skimmia need ericaceous soil?

This is often mistaken for iron deficiency, but skimmias are not ericaceous (acid soil loving) plants like camellias and rhododendrons. Watering, feeding and mulch will help.

How do you care for a skimmia plant?

For best results grow Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' in moist but well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Trim plants after flowering and mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost.

Do you deadhead skimmia?

Do bear in mind, this is a slow growing plant and all you should really do is cut back the dead flower heads, which will prepare it for producing those striking buds for Autumn and Winter. Normally you will see Skimmia at their very best in the garden centres in Autumn/early Winter.

When should I cut back skimmia?

Pruning Skimmia

Prune only when the plants become straggly. Remove any dead or damaged wood. Skimmia can be cut back hard in spring, if they become to large and need regeneration.

What is the best soil for skimmia?

The ideal soil for Skimmia is moist and rich with a slightly acidic pH. A shovelful of manure or compost mixed into the soil at planting time gets the shrub off to a healthy start. Choose a planting location carefully, as Skimmia is bleached and faded by bright sunlight.

Do I need male and female skimmia?

For the plant to thrive in your garden, you need to place a male Skimmia alongside a couple of females to ensure pollination. The male plant can be identified by its shape, it flowers slightly more vigorously, and the flowers have pistils.

How tall does skimmia grow?

Skimmias are evergreen shrubs from the Himalayas and China which have attractive leaves, flowers and fruit. Most grow to 3-4ft in height and have scented flowers in the spring followed by conspicuous red or white fruits.

Can birds eat skimmia berries?

Skimmia with red buds or berries looks stunning alongside evergreen perennials such as heucheras in containers, which are useful for decorating the patio during autumn and winter. ... They remain on the tree well into winter before the soft, juicy berries are picked off by birds and particularly waxwings and thrushes.

Is skimmia an evergreen?

Skimmia japonica 'Marlot' (m)

'Marlot' is an extraordinary compact, evergreen shrub, with dark green leathery leaves and terminate with small clusters of highly fragrant 4-5 petalled flowers.

Why are the leaves on my skimmia turning yellow?

YELLOWING LEAVES ON SKIMMIA

In most cases this is caused by the plant not being able to absorb nutrients because the soil is too alkaline. The solution is to top up with ericaceous compost and feed with plant food for acid loving plants. ... The final cause of yellowing Skimmia leaves is too much sun.

How do you prune a skimmia Bush?

Pruning skimmia

Skimmias flower on the two-year-old branches. Cut half of those branches back after flowering. If you do it in the winter, you can use the cuttings for atmospheric flower arrangements. The cut branches will grow out again and will flower in the subsequent year.

What plants go well with skimmia?

I've noticed that, like lime tolerant heathers which are also in bloom then, honey or hive bees are especially fond of Skimmia. But male skimmias often have very prominent and showy flower buds even before they open.