Skimmia × confusa 'Isabella' (f)

RHS Plant Profile

skimmia 'Isabella'

Shrubs

A large, evergreen shrub, ultimately reaching 3m high and wide, with leathery, pointed, oval, aromatic foliage. A female variety producing conical clusters of tiny, strongly scented, creamy-white flowers in spring followed by long-lasting, bright scarlet berries

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Clay

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Clay

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rutaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Skimmia are compact evergreen shrubs with simple, aromatic leaves and terminal panicles of small white or yellowish flowers followed, on fertilised female plants, by shiny red berries; most have male and female flowers on separate plants
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or shade. May become chlorotic on poor, dry soil

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora and honey fungus