Q: Can you prune Fatsia japonica plants, and if so, when is a good time and how much should you prune? DB, Co Galway
19.06.2023 - 09:36 / aberdeengardening.co.uk
There is no question about it Skimmia Japonica Temptation is a gem of a plant.
Flower buds fully open mid-April on Skimmia Japonica Temptation
This female form of Skimmia is genuinely self-pollinating. Producing masses of red berries from September/October and lasting for at least six months.
Temptation October 10th 2018
Temptation is a compact evergreen shrub which has year round interest. The glossy green leaves in themselves are attractive.
In Winter you have a combination of red berries and flower buds, along comes Spring and you get a dazzling show of creamy white flowers whilst the berries can still be holding on.
Summer comes along and the flowers are replaced with green berries which will turn bright red come September. Compact, slow growing, reaching a height of around one meter.
Grow in the border or in a tub adding ericaceous compost and giving it a semi shaded position, you’ll be glad you found this beauty.
Planted in a tub Skimmia temptation sits at our back door. It is in a semi-shaded position, getting no more than about three hours of sunshine between 11 am and 2 pm.
Skimmia prefers soil which is on the acidic side, I used an equal mix of John Innes No. 3 and an ericaceous compost. It came through the Winter with no sign of damage.
In August the leaves became edged and splashed with silver. It still looks very healthy. Is this a sign that something is not quite right. I really don’t know but if you do I would be pleased to hear from you.
Height – 100 cm/3ft 4in
Hardiness – hardy in many parts of the UK. Suggestions of coping with minus 10 c, I suspect it could handle a bit lower.
Position – does best in partial shade, good in pots
Flowers – creamy white flowers in Spring
Berries – large clusters of bright
Q: Can you prune Fatsia japonica plants, and if so, when is a good time and how much should you prune? DB, Co Galway
Aucuba Japonica Variegata also known as the spotted Laurel will just about grow in any position in the garden.
Continuing this week with a profile of plants for winter interest which also perform well in the shade, we have Skimmia Japonica Rubella
The male plant Skimmia Japonica Rubella comes to life in the Winter
We live and learn as gardeners. It is unlikely that those who fell in love with Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) when it was imported to the United States a century ago had any idea that the gorgeous ornamental, with its showy pink flowers, would be a threat to native ecosystems today. Yet it clearly is, and responsible homeowners should find an alternative to Spirea.
Pieris Forest flame commonly, known as the Lily of the valley shrub.
You won’t go wrong Growing Pieris Japonica Katsura in a pot. In fact, if I were asked which evergreen shrub would I recommend for growing in a pot, I would have no hesitation in suggesting Pieris.