Skimmia Japonica Temptation
Growing tips for the self-pollinating Skimmia Japonica Temptation
There is no question about it Skimmia Japonica Temptation is a gem of a plant.
Flower buds fully open mid-April on Skimmia Japonica Temptation
Plant profile Skimmia Japonica Temptation
This female form of Skimmia is genuinely self-pollinating. Producing masses of red berries from September/October and lasting for at least six months.
Temptation October 10th 2018
Temptation is a compact evergreen shrub which has year round interest. The glossy green leaves in themselves are attractive.
In Winter you have a combination of red berries and flower buds, along comes Spring and you get a dazzling show of creamy white flowers whilst the berries can still be holding on.
Summer comes along and the flowers are replaced with green berries which will turn bright red come September. Compact, slow growing, reaching a height of around one meter.
Grow in the border or in a tub adding ericaceous compost and giving it a semi shaded position, you’ll be glad you found this beauty.
Planted in a tub Skimmia temptation sits at our back door. It is in a semi-shaded position, getting no more than about three hours of sunshine between 11 am and 2 pm.
Skimmia prefers soil which is on the acidic side, I used an equal mix of John Innes No. 3 and an ericaceous compost. It came through the Winter with no sign of damage.
In August the leaves became edged and splashed with silver. It still looks very healthy. Is this a sign that something is not quite right. I really don’t know but if you do I would be pleased to hear from you.
Quick read details
Height – 100 cm/3ft 4in
Hardiness – hardy in many parts of the UK. Suggestions of coping with minus 10 c, I suspect it could handle a bit lower.
Position – does best in partial shade, good in pots
Flowers – creamy white flowers in Spring
Berries – large clusters of bright red berries from late September hanging on to them until early Summer the following year. Self fertile, no need for male plant.
Soil – good free draining loamy soil, happy on the acidic side
Foliage – glossy evergreen foliage plant having a neat compact habit.
Wish I knew Ann, perhaps its in a position that gets too much sun.
I planted my Skimmia Temptation in November 2020 full of berries. Spring 2021 creamy flowers, no berries in the Autumn. 2022 creamy flowers in Spring & Autumn but no berries! What’s happening!
At one time I thought if a plant survives the Scottish Winter then it must be very hardy. I guess living near the coast prevents us from getting those very low temperatures. Yes, up and running again Pam, it may help if I stop messing about with those settings.
This is a very striking plant, Alistair. I wish it was hardy in my zone. So glad you have your blog up-and-running again after your scare. P. x
Skimmia is fully hardy in our coastal location Nadezda. Minus 10c is extremely unusual, much colder in the Highlands of Scotland though.
Underneath the pine trees should be ideal for Skimmia Sunil.
Hello Alistair, the berries are very pretty on this Skimmia, I hope it is fragrant. I miss our large skimmia from our last garden. We planted a small one but they grow so slowly and it’s going to be years before it reaches an appreciable size. We might put a few more into some of the more recent borders towards the back of the garden, underneath the pine trees where I can guarantee an acidic soil.
Alistair, it’s interesting information about Skimmia Japonica Temptation, I like its red berries. I’ve read in wiki that it is hardy up to -10 C. So if we have more frost I have to cover or to move in skimmia . Do you do this for winter?
Good question, finish a post, study it, yes I have covered everything! Have you heck. The leaves and Spring flowers of some Skimmias are said to be fragrant if Temptation is one of those, I honestly didn’t pick up on it.
Is it fragrant?