Awww thank you so much @GardenerSuze and @Joyce Goldenlily, that's great. The perfume drew me to the plant, very pleasant scent. OK need to do some research and hopefully get one (or two). Thank you again.
@dbhattuk They like a moist soil and avoid full sun. There is also another form with greenish flowers called Skimmia confusa Kew Green also a lovely plant.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@GardenerSuze, thank you. I have a 4 foot wall in the front garden - south facing front garden. I have room for two plants. So thinking skimmia would be great. Hoping the wall will largely shield the plants from direct sunlight, perhaps that's wishful thinking on my part. Will get full sunlight when the sun is near the zenith. Need to do some research on Skimmia's, thanks for the tip.
Is your soil suitable? They don't like being dry, and they don't like alkaline soil. Too sunny won't be great for them, so a photo of your site would help with advice. They're best in semi to full shade, with moisture retentive soil.
Last year is the first time I've ever seen flowers open fully, and release the scent. Never smelled them before as it's never mild enough here for them to open properly. Not opening well this year - as per usual. The colder weather has arrived at just the wrong moment.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl, I’m not sure of PH level, but the texture is loamy I would say. Fairly easy to work with not clay or chalk. Will post a picture tomorrow of the wall area. I have noted the scent whenever I walk past the house in the spring where the shrubs is. Today I made a point to look closer and take pictures. So flowers opening is not a major issue here in South London. Thanks.
Yes - I'm slightly jealous that people get the scent from them ,and I have a very poor sense of smell, but they were lovely last winter. Just not warm enough here at that time of year normally. Then the flowers die off!
If they grow well all around your area, there's good chance the soil pH is ok.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have several one of which is growing up against a south facing wall, one is growing on the north side of a hedge, both do fine. Mine are just about to open it was -11C yesterday and we have 40cm of snow.. they'll come and they always smell fantastic
They will cope with a neutral soil but I would avoid a soil that is alkaline. Leaf scorch can be a problem. They are long flowering and on a sunny day as you say the scent is lovely.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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Too sunny won't be great for them, so a photo of your site would help with advice. They're best in semi to full shade, with moisture retentive soil.
Last year is the first time I've ever seen flowers open fully, and release the scent. Never smelled them before as it's never mild enough here for them to open properly. Not opening well this year - as per usual. The colder weather has arrived at just the wrong moment.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If they grow well all around your area, there's good chance the soil pH is ok.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...