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Skimmia Japonica "not doing very well"

doctor_jools91745doctor_jools91745 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I've had a Skimmia Japonica for about five years and it's just not done very well. It hasn't grown that much and its leaves are either pale green or yellow. It's on the north side of a fence so not getting any direct sunlight (which I believe is correct for the plant). The soil here in Oxford is a bit heavy but mostly neutral pH (which I also believe is OK for this plant). It's right next to a sarcococca which is positively thriving.

Does anybody have any ideas what I can do to help it along? Thanks.


Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They can often look like that unfortunately, especially if the soil's a little nearer the alkaline end of the neutral pH. Plenty of mulching - bark is ideal, and you can give them the odd feed suited to ericaceous plants, but leave that [feed] until the main growing season. If you have, or can make, leaf mould, that's a great addition too.  :)

    They can be quite slow to establish and grow, even in ideal conditions. Decent soil and plenty of regular moisture is the preference, but they're not fast growing shrubs, generally. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited October 2023
    Would a sequestered iron feed help? I use Vitax Sequestered Iron Plant Tonic on one of my skimmias, as it tends to get a bit yellow (but not as much as in your photo)
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    A friend had one in the same condition that I tried to revive using sequestrene - it died.

    It wasn't planted in great soil and she didn't water it when it needed it either.
    But I done some googling and came across this from the RHS which I didn't know before

     Dislikes

    If planted in poor and very dry soil, or if growing in full sun, the shrubs will struggle, leaves will start yellowing and plants will become spindly. This is often mistaken for iron deficiency, but skimmias are not ericaceous (acid soil loving) plants like camellias and rhododendrons. Watering, feeding and mulch will help. Alternatively reconsider their position.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • doctor_jools91745doctor_jools91745 Posts: 4
    Thanks Pete. Yes, I've read that too. It's not dry soil or in full sun so it must be poor soil. I'll see if I can do something about that before next spring.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Home made compost is ideal, if not then some sort of rotted manure should help lighten the soil texture.
    Hope it does the trick

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree - it's the soil that probably needs abit of help. They don't really like poorer, lighter soil, but they also need decent drainage if the soil's heavier.
    Sometimes it's a tricky balance, but adding organic matter always helps, regardless of the soil type     :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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