Skimmia japonica ‘Finchy’ – Compact Evergreen with Long-Lasting Buds

Skimmia japonica ‘Finchy’ is a compact, evergreen shrub that provides year-round beauty with minimal care. This variety is especially valued for its long-lasting flower buds, which emerge pale green in autumn, persist beautifully through winter, and open into clusters of fragrant white blooms in spring. Its neat, rounded habit and glossy dark-green foliage make it an excellent choice for small gardens, shady borders, and containers.

Unlike some skimmias, ‘Finchy’ is self-fertile, so it does not require a pollinator to produce its flowers. Its subtle fragrance, reliable performance, and attractive foliage make it one of the best compact shrubs for bringing winter and spring interest to the garden.

General Information

Skimmias are native to Asia and are well known for their tolerance of shade and their year-round decorative appeal. ‘Finchy’ is a relatively new cultivar with particularly long-lasting buds and a compact form.

• Growth habit: Compact, bushy, and rounded evergreen shrub

• Height & spread: Typically grows 60–80cm tall and wide, perfect for small spaces

• Foliage: Glossy, deep-green aromatic leaves that look fresh year-round

• Flowers: Clusters of creamy-white blooms in spring with a sweet fragrance

• Buds: Decorative pale green buds form in autumn, lasting through winter

• Position: Prefers partial to full shade; avoid hot, direct sun

• Hardiness: Fully hardy, tolerating frost and cold winters

• Soil: Best in fertile, moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil; thrives in ericaceous compost

• Uses: Ideal for containers, shady borders, courtyards, or as a compact specimen shrub

Its attractive foliage, seasonal flowers, and long-lasting buds give it multi-season appeal with very little maintenance.

Care Guide

Skimmia japonica ‘Finchy’ is an easy-care shrub, thriving in shade where many other plants struggle.

Planting

• Plant in partial to full shade; avoid strong afternoon sun, which may scorch leaves.

• Use fertile, moist, well-drained soil; add ericaceous compost if soil is alkaline.

• Ideal for containers, using ericaceous compost for best results.

• Mulch after planting to help retain moisture and improve soil health.

Watering & Feeding

• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

• Water container plants regularly, especially in dry weather.

• Feed in spring with an ericaceous fertiliser to support healthy foliage and flower development.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Minimal pruning is needed—simply remove dead or damaged stems after flowering.

• Trim lightly to maintain a neat, rounded shape if required.

• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage fresh growth.

Protection

• Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland; no winter protection required.

• Protect container-grown plants from drying winds in winter.

• Yellowing leaves may indicate alkaline soil—treat with ericaceous feed.

Why Choose Skimmia ‘Finchy’?

This compact skimmia offers beauty and reliability in all seasons. Its evergreen foliage stays glossy year-round, while its decorative buds bring colour and interest through the darkest months, followed by fragrant spring flowers.

• Long-lasting buds: Decorative from autumn through spring

• Compact size: Perfect for small gardens, patios, and containers

• Shade-tolerant: Thrives where many other plants struggle

• Evergreen foliage: Glossy green leaves provide year-round structure

• Low-maintenance: Hardy, resilient, and easy to grow

Skimmia japonica ‘Finchy’ is an excellent choice for gardeners who want a dependable, compact evergreen with multi-season interest. Whether planted in a container by the doorstep or in a shady border, it brings subtle colour, fragrance, and structure to the garden all year round.

• Size
  P10.5

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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