Skimmias pack a punch during the winter months with glossy evergreen leaves and panicles of red or white buds that blossom in spring. These compact shrubs are easy to care for and are ideal for containers, patios and small gardens.
Skimmias are evergreen, hardy shrubs native to Japan, China and Southeast Asia. They prefer shade over sun and are a great choice to add structure to smaller gardens, as even the larger varieties only grow up to about 1.5 metres. Skimmias add interest to your garden throughout the year with masses of white, pink or red buds during the winter months, scented flowers in spring and berries in autumn (on female and self-fertile varieties).Â
Most skimmias sold in the UK are Japanese skimmia (Skimmia japonica) cultivars, though other varieties are available. As skimmias are slow-growing, it’s worth buying shrubs in larger pot sizes, particularly if you’re planting them in borders or beds. They’re a valuable addition to a Japanese-style garden or woodland garden, as well as adding colour to north-facing gardens and shaded patios.
Male vs female skimmias
Most varieties of skimmia are dioecious, meaning each plant has either male or female parts. Male varieties tend to put on a better display of flowers, but they don’t produce berries. Female cultivars need to be pollinated in order for berries to form, meaning you’ll need a male plant nearby.Â
A few varieties of skimmia, such as Skimmia japonica subsp reevesiana and Skimmia ‘Obsession’, are self-fertile and will produce both flowers and berries without having another plant nearby – perfect if you have limited space.
Where to plant skimmia
Skimmias prefer partial shade, though they can also tolerate full shade. Most varieties struggle in full sun, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow. If you’re desperate to grow a skimmia and you don’t have a shady area, then Skimmia × confusa 'Kew Green' is more tolerant of sun than other varieties.
Skimmias grow well in borders or beds, as long as the soil doesn’t get waterlogged or dry out too much. Due to their slow-growing, compact nature, they’re an excellent shrub to grow in pots.
When to plant skimmia
You can plant Skimmia japonica at any time of year, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Autumn and spring tend to be best, as the soil is moist and there’s enough rain to keep additional watering to a minimum.
How to plant skimmia
Unlike rhododendrons and azaleas, skimmias don’t need ericaceous soil. You can plant skimmia in most soils, as long as you add some organic matter to help with soil structure and moisture retention.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, place the skimmia plant in the hole and backfill soil to the same depth as it was in the container. Your skimmia plant will need regular watering for the first 12–18 months.
When growing a skimmia shrub in a container, it’s best to choose one a couple of inches larger than the pot it came in. Skimmias are slow-growing and overpotting a skimmia bush can lead to problems. Fill the pot with multipurpose compost with added loam, plant the skimmia at the same level as the original pot and water it well.
Caring for a Skimmia japonica
Established skimmias are relatively drought-tolerant, unless they’re grown in dry soils, in which case they may need additional watering. Skimmias in pots will need regular watering throughout the year to prevent the soil from drying out.
You don’t need to feed skimmias planted in borders or beds, but they will benefit from a heavy mulch in late winter or early spring. Skimmias are fully hardy in the UK and shouldn’t need any additional protection in winter.
Pruning skimmia
You don’t need to prune skimmia, other than removing the odd wayward shoot that looks out of place. Cut these back in spring to keep the shape neat.
How to propagate skimmia
You can propagate skimmia by taking semi-ripe cuttings in mid to late summer. Cut a section from a new, non-flowering shoot, remove excess leaves to help minimise water loss, and trim the cutting to just below a node (you can leave leaf stems on). Insert the cutting into a pot filled with a mix of compost and perlite and water it well. The cutting should develop roots in four to six weeks.
It’s possible to collect and sow skimmia seeds from ripe berries in autumn, but they will take a long time to grow and the resulting plants will likely differ from the parent plant.
Skimmia japonica problems
If your skimmia has yellow leaves, this is most likely due to dry growing conditions or too much sun. Either move it to a shadier spot or add mulch to the soil and water it more frequently during dry spells.
White deposits on the stems and leaves of your skimmia in spring or early summer could be a sign of horse chestnut scale. These are egg masses left by a scale insect and, while unsightly, shouldn’t cause too much damage to the plant.
Our favourite skimmia varieties
Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ is a popular skimmia, grown for its panicles of red buds that add valuable colour throughout the winter. The buds blossom into white flowers in March and April.
Skimmia ‘Fragrant Cloud’ produces lime green buds over winter, followed by heavily scented white flowers in spring.
Skimmia ‘Magic Marlot’ is a compact variety with pretty variegated leaves that’s perfect for pots. White buds form in autumn, turning red over the winter, before flowering in spring.
Skimmia ‘Kew White’ is a female skimmia that produces fragrant white flowers in spring. Plant it next to a male variety to ensure pollination and white berries in the autumn.
FAQ
How close do male and female skimmia need to be?
Female skimmia need pollinating in order to produce berries. This means you need to plant Skimmia japonica bushes close enough together that insects such as bees can easily flit between the male and female plants. They don’t need to be crowded together, though within about 15 metres of each other is ideal. One male plant can pollinate multiple female plants, which is worth bearing in mind if you want a mix of flowers and berries.
Do skimmia need ericaceous soil
No, skimmias don’t need to be grown in ericaceous compost. They like rich, fertile soil which is moist but not too wet. Dig some compost or other organic matter into the soil before planting.
When do you prune skimmia?
Skimmias don’t require regular pruning, though you can trim any overlong shoots back in spring. If you’ve inherited a bedraggled, overgrown skimmia, it’s probably best to replace it rather than try to renovate it.
How big do skimmia grow?
Most skimmias grow to a maximum height of 1.5 metres, though you can buy compact varieties that are 50–75 cm tall.
Why are my skimmia leaves turning yellow?
If your skimmia has yellow leaves, it’s most likely due to too much sun or dry soil. You can add a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture and remember to water it during dry spells. If you think the issue is sun-related, then consider moving the plant in spring or autumn to a shadier location.
