Skimmia japonica is a very attractive little shrub in the months when there is less abundance of interest in the garden. In this guide I will demonstrate step by step how to divide skimmia japonica.
These plants have dark green foliage and produce clusters of dark red flower buds in autumn and winter.
These buds open into very fragrant white flowers in late winter or early spring.
Skimmias are very resistant plants, they tolerate frost, coastal areas, urban pollution, dry shade and can be grown in pots.
They require little pruning, just enough to maintain their compact shape.
Like many shrubby plants, skimmias shoot many new growths at the base of the trunk, making them a great candidate for propagation by division.
So let’s go to our step by step. The specimen used here is a small skimmia plant, but the principle applies to larger specimens as well.
Notice at the base of the plant how many young shoots there are. It will be very easy to split them from the mother plant to form a new bush.
Loose the roots
First I remove the plant from the pot and with the help of a stick I loose the roots by removing the soil.
This allows me to better see the point where the branches join the main plant and so I can more easily divide them.
Divide the new shoot
Carefully and with the help of a cutter, I split the shoot, ensuring that it has a lot of attached roots.
These roots will feed the new plant.
On the mother plant, the area that was injured will gain callus, develop new roots and heal.
Plant the new skimmia
Finally, I planted the new skimmia in a small pot and watered it.
I used generic potting compost, which retains moisture but drains well.
In the coming weeks it is important to keep the new plants in a protected place until they show signs of growth.
These signs could be leaves growing or new roots coming out of the drainage holes.
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