Gaultheria, cineraria and skimmia - what to do with them now?

Camelliad

I have had these in a big pot at the front of the house with a hellebore for the past few months and plan to change it to a spring display now.

The hellebore I will put in the ground but I'm not sure what to do with the rest. I suppose I could do the same but I don't really know much about them. Would they do better in pots? The cineraria survived all the snow - do you cut it back? They make a nice winter display so I could pot them up individually and bring them back out again next year I guess, but am interested to hear opinions.

Muffin32

Can only let you know of my experience of cineraria. The one in this photo will be having its 3rd year this summer. I cut it back in the spring but leave it in it’s planter. It’s a bit straggley now but will act as a great support to the cosmos I’m growing. Great value don’t you think.

Camelliad

Thanks @Muffin32, it's good to know that it can be cut back and I like to hear that it has been happy kept in the planter. I am also growing cosmos so will try these two together!!

Fairygirl

Gaultherias and Skimmias aren't suited to long term pot culture. Need to be in the ground. Even the prostrate Gaultheria is better in the ground. Shade is perfect for both. 

If your soil isn't neutral to acidic, the Skimmia won't thrive though, so you'll need to check your conditions. 

Camelliad

Thanks Fairygirl - that's really useful. I could put the skimmia in the same shady bed as my rhododendrons which are doing ok. The gaultheria I'm not sure about - it looks lovely in the pot but a bit underwhelming in the border. Will have a think.

Ergates

Which gaultheria do you have? If it’s gaultheria Shallon, be careful where you put it. Spreads by underground shoots like bamboo. It’s threatening to take over our garden. I’ve been digging shoots out of the pathway to stop it invading the flower bed on the other side. Also the birds love the berries, resulting in little islands of the plant springing up elsewhere in the garden. I now hate the stuff!

Camelliad

Thanks @Ergates that's good to know. I think I have procumbens but reading about it on the RHS website I can see that it suckers although easily controlled. I'm not keen on the idea - it's a handsome enough plant but not enough to merit that risk so I think I will keep that in the pot and try the skimmia in the ground.