Question
I recently planted Hydrangeas in my front garden but I wanted a small evergreen to plant among them so that my garden wasn't empty in the winter. The nursery suggested Dwarf Male Skimmia Japonica. For now they are small but I don't want them to grow to overpower my hydrangeas. I have a small garden and would like to keep all of the plants a manageable size. Can I prune these to shape them and keep them small? When is the best time to cut them back?  

Answer
Jennifer,

Depending on what varieties that your nursery has, these plants can grow up to 4 feet tall and wide. There is one variety, 'Formanii' that only grows between 2 to 3 feet wide and tall.

If you are in a northern climate, these plants need to be protected during the winter months. They like partial shade to full shade and soils high in organic matter.

Pruning should be done after they have finished flowering.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen