Skimmia laureola subsp. multinerva
Many-nerved Laurel leaved skimmia
- Height × spread
- 10m × 4m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A rarely seen form that has aromatic foliage. The laurel look alike leaves are shiny and dark green with a yellowish midrib. They are aromatic with a lavender fragrance if crushed. The flowers are creamy white and sweetly fragrant, appearing in spring and followed from late autumn by black shiny berry fruits. It is native to West China and the eastern Himalayas and in these favoured woodland habitats it can become a small tree, attaining a height of ten metres. In quiet domesticity in the UK it is likely to be around 2 - 3 metres after a fair time. Give it a warm and sheltered woodland position.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Brown, Green
- Fruit colour
- Black
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-magnolia
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 10m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Walls
- North, East facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
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