By Ianhenderson
Lanarkshire,
United Kingdom 
Hi There--I've just subscribed and this is my 2nd question. Lat year I bought two Skimmias, male and female with the hope of berries. However, i can only assume as a result of severe winter of 2011 in Scotland, the Skimmia Foremanii died but the Rubella survived--some yellowing of leaves but otherwise seems o.k. I am having difficulty in getting a female partner ( assume that "Rubella" is male ?). Can anyone advise a nursery I could get a 5L female from. I wish to grow both in tubs. Also what food would perhaps help yellowing leaves and when is it best move up a pot size--"rubella" currently in a 5L tub--Thanks very much--Ian
27 Jun, 2012
Answers
Yes welcome to GOY agree with OJi
But with all this rain mine is greening up fine.
27 Jun, 2012
alternative female plants are Wisley Female, Kew White. S. japonica is either male or female - if you buy when berries are present, you know you've got a female version. Otherwise, the next 3 are hermaphrodite (unisexual): S. reevesiana (must have acid soil, use ericaceous compost), and S. laureola. Redruth is said to be hermaphrodite, but is best with a male nearby, though the male plant of choice is 'fragrans'.
Re the yellowing leaves, might be better to pot into ericaceous compost. Sequestrene should help though. Most varieties prefer a dappled shade or part shady situation - some plants exposed to full sunlight develop a yellow tinge to the leaves.
27 Jun, 2012
Oddly enough, because this part of a post yesterday, I had a yellowing Skimmia which I drenched with Sequestrene Tonic and that worked really well for it, greening it up very quickly.
As for finding a new female Skimmia, maybe try the RHS plantfinder site to get a list of nurseries which might have the one you want.
Welcome to GoY!
27 Jun, 2012