If you are thinking about evergreen and winter Plants, Boma's horticultural team are passionate about Skimmia. This excellent shrub offers such a delightfully vivid display of colour throughout winter when UK skies can be so dismal. Furthermore, this evergreen wonder thrives throughout the year, offering superb value for such a relatively small investment.
Skimmia is a genus of evergreen shrubs that are highly decorative through winter and spring. They are prevalent in winter as Skimmia either become covered in bright red, orange and white berries or eye-catching buds of red or white flowers, depending on the species.
The fruits or flower buds will last throughout winter and look stunning at Christmas. The glossy green foliage provides the perfect framework for the clusters of berries that form in the autumn.
Skimmia has a compact growth habit making them ideal plants for seasonal container displays in the garden. Furthermore, they are hardy and, therefore, low-maintenance plants.
All species of Skimmia will ultimately end up with attractive white clusters of flowers that appear in the late springtime and last until early summer as the flowers start to fade. On some species, the white flower clusters even exude a fragrant perfume.
Skimmias are an acid-loving plant, so plant them in ericaceous compost to keep them looking green and healthy. Skimmia will happily grow in full sun or partial shade, but remember to water them during periods of prolonged heat throughout summer and the first year of establishment after planting.
The ideal time to feed the Skimmia in the garden is during the beginning of spring with an ericaceous feed such as Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron soluble food.
Skimmias are still in flower in early spring, so they are a perfect pollinator-friendly plant providing a nectar-rich fest for the bees early in the year.
As Skimmia has attracted so much interest over the years as one of the most successful winter shrubs, Boma Garden Centre keeps them readily stocked to fill customer demand.
Varieties of Skimmia available at Boma
Skimmia japonica 'Finchy'
'Finchy' has unusual bright green neon buds that start to form in autumn and last until early summer.
Shop Skimmia japonica 'Finchy'
Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'
'Rubella' is the most popular variety of Skimmia, with bright red buds throughout autumn and winter that open to reveal large clusters of white flowers in early spring.
Shop Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'
Skimmia japonica subsp. Reevesiana
With its large red berries that last throughout winter, Reevesiana is hugely sort-after as a Christmas Plant for displays in planters near a front door and garden patios.
Shop Skimmia japonica subsp. Reevesiana
Skimmia japonica 'Pabella'
This variety forms a plethora of glossy, eye-catching orangy-red berries throughout winter that demand your attention when planted in a decorative container.
Shop Skimmia japonica 'Pabella'
Skimmia japonica 'Fragrant cloud'
This beautiful variety of Skimmia has soft green berries open to reveal fragrant white flowers in early spring.
Photo by Martin R Stone
Depending on how you wish to display Skimmia in its location, be it in a flower bed or window box, there is an extensive range of Skimmia shrub sizes to suit every environment. To account for the array of display options, Skimmia is available from a 9cm to a 10Ltr pot to suit the location of your choice.
There is nothing like seeing the sight and colour of Skimmia in person. You can Order Skimmia at Boma Online or pop into the garden centre in Kentish Town to see these beautiful varieties up close.
