Skimmia japonica ‘Magic Marlot’

Skimmias are totally hardy and will grow in conditions from full sun to shade, and even accept a fair amount of neglect. Growing to between 30 and 90cm (1-3 ft) in ten years, it is unlikely to outgrow an area.

Skimmia japonica ‘Magic Marlot’ is a new introduction with yellow margins to the evergreen leaves. It produces clusters in dark pink buds from September. Plant in a container for some instant impact before moving into the garden in the spring.

Skimmias have masses of creamy white to dark red buds in autumn, which open up to creamy white scented flowers in March.

Some varieties of skimmia are female (Skimmia japonica ‘Nymans’) and as such will produce clusters of berries from May if they have been pollinated by a male variety. Male varieties (Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’, Skimmia japonica ‘Magic Marlot’) will not produce the berries but tend to have more flowers in the spring.

Skimmias can be grown in containers over the winter where they will complement leucothoe and euonymus or in borders where their evergreen foliage provides structure.

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’	Skimmia japonica ‘Reevesiana’	Skimmia japonica ‘Keeson’	Skimmia japonica ‘Nymans’