Japanese Skimmia 'Mystic Marlot' - Hardy plant

Plant your Skimmia japonica preferably as soon as possible after delivery, in a flower pot or a patio planter. Choose a pot with holes in the base to provide adequate drainage. Cover the bottom of the pot with broken potsherds or a layer of gravel. Put fresh potting compost in the pot and put the root ball of the Skimmia at the right depth. Fill the pot with compost and press firmly. Water generously immediately after planting and stand the pot in a partial to full shaded spot. Line a porous pot on the inside with plastic or bubble wrap, or use an inner pot of plastic material. This will prevent evaporation and stop the compost from drying out too quickly. Skimmia planting combinations Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ is perfect for growing in a flower pot. This ornamental, wintergreen shrub remains beautiful all winter long, thanks to the nicely shaped leaves and beautiful flower buds. Choose a large flower pot so that the shrub has plenty of space. Striking in combination with Leucothoe and Viburnum (Viburnum tinus ‘Gwenllian’). Skimmia also grows well in the garden, combined with other evergreen bushes, such as the bush ivy and the Photonia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’.

Water your Skimmia japonica regularly so that the soil around the root ball does not dry out, dry soil is not tolerated. For an extra rich flowering, we recommend during the flowering period, adding plant food when watering. In springtime sprinkle granulated cow manure around the shrub and lightly work it into the soil. Skimmias require very little pruning, with a large shrub, after flowering to keep a compact shape trim back any unruly branches. When old shrubs become unattractive then they can be cut back even further.

Skimmia japonica flower buds develop in the autumn. The beautiful red tinted buds remain ornamental right through winter. In springtime the buds open to reveal small creamy-white panicles that exude a delightful fragrance. There are both male and female Skimmia japonica shrubs. The male of the species does not bear berries. If you have a female shrub in the garden and want it to bear fruit then this cultivar acts as a good pollinator but you do then need a male shrub in the neighbourhood for it to grow berries. This hardy evergreen shrub is a slow grower.