Skimmia japonica 'WINNIE'S DWARF'

Skimmia is a small, evergreen shrub from Japan. After the year 2000 there have been a number of new varieties which are still being tested for stability of their featured characteristics. The aim is to select a plant distinctly different from the species which is why Winnie’s Dwarf skimmia has already been released to trade as a new plant.

Winnie’s Dwarf is a dwarf, slow growing skimmia with evergreen, leathery, broadly elliptic, glossy, and deep green leaves. In early spring tiny flowers come out and if pollinated by pollen from male plants they produce abundance of rich red, glossy, berries (not edible). This variety forms a low mound or cushion, and requires no pruning.

If you plant it well you needn’t look after it any longer except for occasional watering in dry spells. There are a few rules you have to follow if you want your skimmia look perfect: the soil has to be always moist but extremely well-drained, acidic (add peat), light (add leaf mould), and most of all humus-rich. The best location is dappled shade or even deep shade (shady back of your house or under thick canopies of tall trees). When leaves turn pale or yellow the plant suffers from too much sun or water, or too little nutrients in the soil. Skimmia is tolerant of atmospheric pollution. The plant is poisonous. Hardy to approx. -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 14-02-2013