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Skimmia plants are popular as borders in garden beds or as potted plants. Many gardeners believe that Skimmias require ericaceous compost to thrive. Is this belief correct, or will Skimmia flourish in other conditions?
Skimmia plants do not need ericaceous compost, but they will grow well in soil amended with this compost. They have a wide soil pH tolerance range, from 5.0 to 6.5, but can grow in soil with a slightly alkaline pH of 7.4. Normal compost can be used if other soil acidification methods are employed.
Skimmia is a shrub that loves acidic soil, and providing the ideal growing conditions will get the best out of the plant. But is ericaceous compost the only way to give Skimmia plants the ideal growing medium?
Is Ericaceous Compost Good For Skimmia Plants?
Skimmia plants, also known as Skimmia japonica, are evergreen shrubs native to Japan and China. They are popular for their glossy, dark evergreen leaves and fragrant flowers, followed by red or black berries in the winter.
Skimmia plants are relatively low maintenance and can be grown in various soil types, but they have specific requirements for their growing conditions.
One important factor to consider when growing Skimmia plants is the type of compost you use. Skimmia plants generally prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5, so they are often grown in ericaceous compost.
This type of compost is specially formulated for acid-loving plants and is made from materials such as peat, coir, and bark. It helps to maintain the correct pH balance for Skimmia plants and provides the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
Can Skimmia Be Grown In Normal Compost?
It is important to note that Skimmia plants can also be grown in other types of compost as long as the pH is kept within the appropriate range.
If you are using a general-purpose compost or compost with a higher pH, you may need to add some acidifying materials such as sulfur or iron sulfate to lower the pH and create a more suitable growing environment for your Skimmia plants.
While Skimmias prefer acidic soil, they can tolerate soils with a pH of up to 7.4, which is slightly alkaline soil, but the plant generally does not grow as well when the pH reaches these levels.
This versatility of skimmia plants means they do not need ericaceous compost to grow well, but ericaceous compost will help to keep the growing medium pH in the tolerance range for these plants.
Using ericaceous compost means you will not have to apply other soil pH amendment measures to lower the growing medium pH, making it simpler to maintain these plants with this compost.
In addition to using the right type of compost and soil pH, it is also important to keep your Skimmia plants healthy by providing them with an environment that meets their other growing needs.
What Type Of Soil Do Skimmia Need?
It is also important to keep your Skimmia plants well-watered and to provide them with sufficient drainage. The best type of soil that meets the criteria of well-balanced drainage and water retention is loam soil rich in organic matter.
Skimmia plants are not very drought-tolerant. They can tolerate the soil drying out slightly, but they do need a consistent supply of moisture to thrive.
A soil with good drainage but enough water retention to remain moist for longer provides the ideal growing medium for Skimmia to flourish.
How Much Water Do Skimmia Plants Need?
Skimmias do not do well with constantly wet roots and can easily develop root rot in these conditions.
It would be preferable to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings to ensure the roots are not too damp. The growing medium must not be allowed to dry out completely, even in the winter.
This means that Skimmias need occasional watering all year round to keep the moisture content in the soil at ideal levels.
Special attention should be given to Skimmias grown in pots or containers to ensure the growing medium does not dry out too much.
Temperature Requirements For Growing Skimmia
The best USDA zones for growing Skimmia are zones 6, 7, and 8. The plants can tolerate temperatures that drop as low as 5°F or -15°C but prefer more moderate climates where the temperatures are not too low or too high in summer.
Light Requirements For Growing Skimmia
Another important factor to consider when growing Skimmia plants is their location. They prefer partial shade or dappled sunlight and can tolerate full shade.
However, they do not thrive in the direct, hot sun, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown.
The plants should also not be planted where they will receive too much direct sun, even in winter. This can lead to leaf burn, which damages the foliage, causing the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.
Do All Skimmia Plants Produce Berries?
Most Skimmia plants are dioecious, which means there are separate male and female plants. The berries are only produced on the female Skimmia plants if a male plant has pollinated the flowers.
A female Skimmia plant needs a male plant in the vicinity to pollinate the flowers to produce the berries that last throughout winter. The male plant produces flowers at the same time that have male organs only.
Pollinating insects visit the male flowers and gather pollen and nectar. They then fertilize the flowers on the female plant when they visit these flowers after the male flowers.
To get a good fruit set, it is generally necessary to have a minimum of one male Skimmia plant for every six female plants.
Should You Prune Skimmia Plants?
Pruning Skimmia plants is generally not recommended beyond the pruning necessary to shape the plant or keep it manageable.
The berries set at the ends of the branches where the flowers blossomed, so harsh pruning will cut away the parts of the branches that produce the berries.
Considering the winter color of the berries are part of the reason most gardeners plant Skimmias, pruning would detract from the beauty of the plant in this season.
Any pruning necessary should be conducted in winter when the plant is less actively growing.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Skimmia plants do prefer ericaceous compost. They can be grown in other types of compost as long as the pH is kept within the appropriate range and they are provided with the right growing conditions.
To ensure the best results, choose a compost formulated for acid-loving plants, keep your Skimmia plants well-watered, and provide them with partial shade or dappled sunlight.
Sources
- https://www.thespruce.com/japanese-skimmia-plant-profile-4843861
- https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-skimmia/
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/skimmia