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Skimmia - advice on moving from pot to ground
I have this lovely skimmia which has grown lots since I bought it. I think it's too big for the pot now and I'd like to move it into the ground in the same spot as it seems to like it there. As well as wanting to keep it healthy because I love it, it also wasn't cheap so I want to make sure it survives the move! I've love some advice from you knowledgeable people. I don't think skimmia specifically needs ericaceous compost but I'm pretty sure that's what I put in the pot and I've always watered it with rainwater rather than tap water. The soil where it is going is somewhat clay like but I can improve it before putting it in the ground. What would you recommend I do and when would be the best time to move it?
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The main reason for this is down to the soil they are planted in.
They like a good, humus-rich soil with plenty of moisture, so dig in some well rotted compost if you have some or bagged well rotted farmyard manure.
If you're going to plant it soon, then keep it well watered throughout the summer.
It may be easier on your plant to plant it in the soil toward end of summer/autumn.
If you choose to do that it would be good to prepare the area sooner rather than later, so the soil is settled and and good condition ready for your plant.
Some good advice here from the RHS about how to plant and care for them.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/skimmia
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
First thing to do is to move the pot to the side so you can prepare its new home and then water it thoroughly so the whole root ball is soaked with no air pockets. This will make it easier to remove from its pot and help it settle in well too. If the plant won't tip out easily, use an old bread knife up and down the inside of the pot to loosen any roots clinging to the sides.
Then dig your hole. If the clay is really heavy, make the hole twice as wide as the pot so you can mix some of the removed soil with compost to help loosen it for back filling so the roots find it easier to spread out. You don't need to make it much deeper than the pot as this might make a sump where water collects and rots the roots but you can pierce the bottom of the hole with a garden fork and then sprinkle on some fine grit or well rotted compost to work into the holes and aid drainage.
Use your fingers or a hand fork to loosen the roots at the side and bottom of the pot so they are encouraged to grow outwards rather than round and round then plant it at the same depth it was before and backfill with your soil and compost mix. Water thoroughly - 15 to 20 litres poured slowly so it soaks in - and keep it watered a very couple of days during hot or dry spells and at least once a week if you have wet weather..