Japanese Skimmia, Evergreen Shrub Of The Day

Skimmia japonica syn. Skimmia rogersii

Japanese Skimmia

Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 6B to 7A
Height 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Spread 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded and vase shaped
Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Evergreen
Bloom Color White
Bloom Time  Spring

Environment

This plant tolerates some drought. This plant will grow in dry soil. Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay. The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

 
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Culture Notes Japanese skimmia is a small, broad-leaved evergreen shrub that grows 3 to 4 feet high. Skimmia is a wonderful addition to the shade or part-shade garden and mixes well with rhododendrons, azaleas and other shade-loving plants. Like the rhododendrons, Skimmia prefers a moist, loamy, acidic soil. Skimmia may tolerate limestone (alkaline) soils if they are moist. In March to April, skimmia produces small white flowers which are somewhat fragrant. Variety intermedia scarcely attains a height of 18 inches.
Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment. 

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