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Skimmias - chalk soil
There seems to be conflicting advice out there re Skimmias on chalk soil. Will they look sickly on such soil? Are there any alternatives with a similar mound-shaped habit? (I have already got Viburnum davidii, Sarcoccocca confusa, Osmanthus, Prunus 'Otto Luyken').
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
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The RHS reckons they can be grown on alkaline soil but when I tried they got sick and chlorotic with yellowing leaves. They also didn't like my cold winters whether in the ground or in pots.
I suggest you look at variegated forms of eunymous or aucubas, Chinese ligustrum, berberis and escallonia, all of which are evergreen and can be pruned to shape and size. Some have blossom and berries for added interest.
I agree with Obelixx. I put mine into MPC in the ground and they were fine for a while, then became sickly. I moved them to my Mum's garden which has acidic soil and the difference in them was amazing. I replaced them with an abelia. It grows quickly and tall but responds well to cutting back and it is possible to maintain a mound shape easily.
Amelia Confetti is a small type and grows in a mound also some hebes are small and mound shape.