Light
Japanese skimmia is a shade-loving shrub that enjoys locations with part to full shade. A location that receives morning sunlight and dappled afternoon sun is ideal. Too much sunlight can bleach and burn the foliage of a Japanese skimmia so avoid locations that receive harsh, direct sun to ensure the plant stays healthy and attractive.
Soil
Moist, well-draining, fertile soils are ideal for Japanese skimmia. Loam soil is a great option as it retains water, but drains easily. Japanese skimmia thrives in acidic soils and should not be planted in areas where the soil has a high pH unless the soil is supplemented with lots of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. Soil testing can be helpful in determining if the soil is the correct pH or not.
Water
The soil of a Japanese skimmia should stay evenly moist at all times, which unless you live in a rainforest, means that Japanese skimmia requires regular and frequent watering. Supplement regular rainfall with weekly (or more frequent) waterings to ensure the plant does not dry out. Japanese skimmia are not drought tolerant.
Temperature and Humidity
Japanese skimmia are winter-hardy plants, tolerating temperatures as low as 5° Fahrenheit (or -15° Celsius). They are hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8 and grow well in moderate temperatures. Japanese skimmia grows well in moist environments and cannot tolerate long periods of drought or dryness.
Fertilizer
Japanese skimmia should be fertilized yearly to help encourage new growth. Use a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, such as a 10-5-4 formula, to ensure your soil stays acidic enough. Stunted growth and pale, faded leaves are signs that a Japanese skimmia needs to be fertilized.
Pruning
Heavy pruning is not necessary for Japanese skimmia as they have a compact growth habit and tend to stay neat on their own. Prune only as necessary to help shape the shrub and clean up stray branches. Pruning should be done in the winter months when the plant is dormant.
Varieties of Japanese Skimmia
There are several cultivators of Japanese skimmia, several of which have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Most of these varieties are either male or female, but there are some varieties that are hermaphroditic, self-fertilizing varieties as well.
Skimmia japonica ‘Fragrans’ (Male)Skimmia japonica ‘Nyman’s (Female)Skimmia japonica subsp. ‘Reevesiana’ (Self-fertile)Skimmia japonica ‘Temptation’ (Self-fertile)Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ (Male)Skimmia japonica ‘Veitchii’ (Female)
Propagating Japanese Skimmia
Japanese skimmia can be propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings in the late summer and early fall. Semi-hardwood cuttings are taken where the plant material is between the softwood stage and the woody stage, where the stems are partly, but not fully mature. The wood should be flexible, but firm enough that it snaps when bent. Choose a healthy plant with no pests or diseases when taking semi-hardwood cuttings.
Growing in Containers
Japanese skimmia are well-suited to growing in containers thanks to their slow growth habit. When growing Japanese skimmia in containers it is especially important to water the shrub regularly and keep the soil moist as they can dry out more quickly in containers. Ensure that the container is placed in a shady location out of direct sun.
