Skimmias are valuable evergreens with two seasons of interest: spring flowers and winter berries. But, mostly, they come in male and female varieties so that you need two different plants, one of each, to ensure that those bright scarlet berries are produced on just one of them.
‘Temptation’ is different. The plants are self-fertile, only one plant is needed for the fruit to develop, so all plants of ‘Temptation’ produce berries without another plant nearby for pollination.
The other problem with some of the older varieties is that although they may stay small, they eventually become uncomfortably tall for many modern gardens. ‘Tempation’ is shorter, and more bushy, so makes a more effective garden plant. Its root growth is strong and its berries are a much brighter red.
‘Temptation’ is sufficiently compact to make a good two season container plant, and also thrives in any fairly well-drained garden soil in sun or partial shade.
Available now from the Garden Pavilion for €13.99
Justin Smyth, Horticulturalist at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion
The other problem with some of the older varieties is that although they may stay small, they eventually become uncomfortably tall for many modern gardens. ‘Tempation’ is shorter, and more bushy, so makes a more effective garden plant. Its root growth is strong and its berries are a much brighter red.
‘Temptation’ is sufficiently compact to make a good two season container plant, and also thrives in any fairly well-drained garden soil in sun or partial shade.
Available now from the Garden Pavilion for €13.99
Justin Smyth, Horticulturalist at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion 
