This week we were freshening some barrels that we have planted out the front. As a centre piece in the barrels we have Skimmia Japonica, we were planting some fresh pansy plants around the edge of the barrels, the daffodils have all mostly finished flowering so we were removing the old heads of these too.
These pansy were sown from seed in early September and grown in an unheated polytunnel.
These pansy were sown from seed in early September and grown in an unheated polytunnel.
Skimmia japonica is an lime-hating plant, so grows best in acidic soil, see here for more on soil science, it produces these wonderful flower buds from september onwards whcih open into small sweetly scented flowers through spring and early summer. Ideal for pots, Skimmia rubella is a small growing shrub, maybe 4' high long term. See here for stockist
the Skimmia rubella is by far the most common variety you're likely to find in Garden Centres, but check out these other exciting varieties to brighten up the garden. All Evergreen.
Skimmia Snow White
This plant is the ideal contrasting variety to plant in a group with the Rubella variety. Forming a compact evergreen shrub with deep green leaves. Creamy flower buds are produced in autumn and these last all through the winter until the white flowers open in spring. see here for stockist
This plant is the ideal contrasting variety to plant in a group with the Rubella variety. Forming a compact evergreen shrub with deep green leaves. Creamy flower buds are produced in autumn and these last all through the winter until the white flowers open in spring. see here for stockist
Skimmia Olympic Flame
These shapely domes of neat, evergreen foliage are topped with pretty clusters of scented, pale pink flowers from late summer. As these fade, large bunches of glossy red berries will develop if there is a male Skimmia nearby,The berries last well into the icy months, beyond the winter soltice, and into the new year, making this shrub a seasonal joy. It will grow very happily in a smart patio planter on the patio or balcony, provided it is not left to bake in full sun all day, and is kept well watered during the growing season. It is also fantastic for under planting in wooded land, or if your garden is more modest, why not add something special and add structure to a mixed border? It's a perfect plant for the garden to provide interest when little else is looking good. see here for stockist
These shapely domes of neat, evergreen foliage are topped with pretty clusters of scented, pale pink flowers from late summer. As these fade, large bunches of glossy red berries will develop if there is a male Skimmia nearby,The berries last well into the icy months, beyond the winter soltice, and into the new year, making this shrub a seasonal joy. It will grow very happily in a smart patio planter on the patio or balcony, provided it is not left to bake in full sun all day, and is kept well watered during the growing season. It is also fantastic for under planting in wooded land, or if your garden is more modest, why not add something special and add structure to a mixed border? It's a perfect plant for the garden to provide interest when little else is looking good. see here for stockist
Skimmia Kew Green, (great partner for Olympic Flame)
Award winning plant, it is compact, dome-shaped and fragrant. The green buds are held all winter and the white flowers open in the spring. Like all the Skimmias, it will grow in most soils in sun or shade and is fine in a patio container or the garden. see here for stockist
Award winning plant, it is compact, dome-shaped and fragrant. The green buds are held all winter and the white flowers open in the spring. Like all the Skimmias, it will grow in most soils in sun or shade and is fine in a patio container or the garden. see here for stockist
Skimmia Kew White
Exceptionally rare, this gorgeous skimmia makes a compact plant with the familiar buds through winter and fragrant white spring blooms. In Autumn, large clusters of unusual white berries appear. see here for stockist
Exceptionally rare, this gorgeous skimmia makes a compact plant with the familiar buds through winter and fragrant white spring blooms. In Autumn, large clusters of unusual white berries appear. see here for stockist
Skimmia Magic Marlot
Lauched on 22nd August 2007 in Holland at the international trade fair for horticulture, in the largest plant growing region of the world, it wiped the floor with competing new varieties, hardly surprising after 13 years in development!
With three conspicuous stages per year it is truly a fabulous plant.
In its first stage in autumn the flowerbuds are white. In its second stage these colour attractively deep red. Finally, in its third stage the small but
pleasantly fragrant white flowers open. All these dramatic colour changes occur against a background of attractive silver-variegated foliage.
'Magic Marlot' will be a jewel in every garden.
Magic Marlot combines a compact habit, variegated foliage, rich flowering,
excellent colouration from autumn into spring and good winter hardiness into a
unique and successful plant for a variety of garden situations. It is highly
ornamental over a long period, and surprises everyone with each
colour-change. see here for stockist
Lauched on 22nd August 2007 in Holland at the international trade fair for horticulture, in the largest plant growing region of the world, it wiped the floor with competing new varieties, hardly surprising after 13 years in development!
With three conspicuous stages per year it is truly a fabulous plant.
In its first stage in autumn the flowerbuds are white. In its second stage these colour attractively deep red. Finally, in its third stage the small but
pleasantly fragrant white flowers open. All these dramatic colour changes occur against a background of attractive silver-variegated foliage.
'Magic Marlot' will be a jewel in every garden.
Magic Marlot combines a compact habit, variegated foliage, rich flowering,
excellent colouration from autumn into spring and good winter hardiness into a
unique and successful plant for a variety of garden situations. It is highly
ornamental over a long period, and surprises everyone with each
colour-change. see here for stockist
