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Skimmia turning brown

Susan MarleySusan Marley Posts: 5
edited May 2020 in Plants
Hi, I have had this Skimmia japonica in my garden for at least 10 years and never had any problems with it. It flowered really well this year as normal. I have given it Sequestrone twice a year. In the last couple of months I have had to cut out two dead branches like the one in the photo which needs to come out. The bush has had it's normal feed of Sequestrone near the beginning of Spring and in the last week I have given it some Miracle-Gro for ericaceous as a slow release in the hope that it might help as I don't know what is wrong with it.
Am I doing something wrong or is there anything else that I can do to save my bush?
Thank you.

Posts

  • stella.ambellstella.ambell Posts: 2
    Hello Susan, I have a skimmea doing exactly the same, just wondered what the outcome was one yours, can not find any info on such?

    cheers, Stella
  • Susan MarleySusan Marley Posts: 5
    Hi Stella,
    the plant just got worse and worse so eventually I dug it out. A shame really as it had been there so long and flowered beautifully each year.
    I hope you have better luck with yours.
    Susan
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,252
    They need to be in soil that doesn't dry out for any length of time- best in  a shady spot too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,211
    The weather this year and the end of last year has affected many plants and they have/and now showing the results.
    We have lost many shrubs and trees due to lack of rain/wind/frost over these months.
    We are still seeing more shrubs dieing back and are sad to see them go as they tell the story of our garden
  • stella.ambellstella.ambell Posts: 2
    Ok - thanks for that Susan, it kinda speaks volumes, dig it out and refresh just didn’t want to give up too soon has per yours it had done really well up until this year, that’s gardening for you. It is in a shady position - maybe last year it may have suffered some moisture loss, although I do have other skimmias planted in the same location albeit not Rubella that have not suffered in the same way yet. Happy gardening! The Stella
  • Susan MarleySusan Marley Posts: 5
    Hi Stella,
    Maybe you could prune it and put it in a pot of ericaceous compost before you give up on it - worth a try.
    Susan
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