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Can someone please help me identify my plant?

thomasgeorgemeyersthomasgeorgemeyers Posts: 2
in Plants
I bought this shrub seven years ago when my dog passed away as a memorial plant and it contains my dogs ashes. In the past year it has deteriorated and I am looking for some advice as to how to bring it back to life. In full health it was full of foliage and covered in red berries and now only has one :(

If anyone can tell me the plants name and how to prune? feed? Restore it back to health I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks in advance,

Thomas.


Posts

  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150
    It looks like a skimmia japonica. 
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/17401/Skimmia-japonica/Details

    Clearing the weeds from the pot would be helpful to improving its health. Looks like somethings been having a nibble at it too.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree ... Skimmia japonica .... it needs re-potting in fresh compost ... I would use a mix of 3 parts John Innes loam based No 3 to 1 part Multi-purpose compost.  

    That will give it some nutrients which will help to perk it up ... then in the spring top-dress with some Fish Blood and Bone slow acting organic fertiliser and water it in well.  In future would repot every late winter/early spring and feed as above.  

    Spraying the leaves with diluted soluble seaweed fertiliser will also help to perk it up.  

    Keeping the compost free from weeds will also help.

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Best advice I would give it to plant it in the ground, not keep it in a container.
  • thomasgeorgemeyersthomasgeorgemeyers Posts: 2
    Thanks for your help Kitty, Papa Jo and Dovefromabove, I've spent ages looking through pictures trying to identify it. Hopefully ill be able to breath some life back into it.

    Thomas.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Welcome to the forum @thomasgeorgemeyers :) To be honest, l agree with Papi Jo that it would be much happier in the ground, however l can understand you may want to keep it in a pot in case you move house. In which case Dove's advice is spot on. You can do it now while the weather is still mild. Skimmia are pretty tough, and doing that will help it to fight whatever is having a nibble.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    My brother had a Skimmia that looked as sickly & yellow as yours.  I gave it one dose of acid plant food at the end of May and a couple of weeks ago I saw that it has greened up nicely, looks much healthier.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I would do all of the above - feed, weed, plant in a larger pot and prune in the Spring Feb/March to give it a more compact overall look.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think Skimmia is one of the plants that has male and female varieties.  If it doesn't have many berries in the next few years after you've followed the advice to feed, repot with good fresh compost etc then planting a male variety nearby might help.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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