How to prune skimmia temptation

Late winter, after berries have finished. Use clean secateurs to remove dead, damaged or overly leggy stems back to a healthy sideshoot. Light touch only — this slow-growing cultivar does not tolerate heavy cutting and may take several seasons to recover.

As needed (rarely). Skimmia japonica 'Temptation' is a compact hermaphrodite variety grown for its red berries, which self-sets without a pollinator. It needs very little pruning. Remove dead or damaged growth and any stems that break the tidy rounded outline. Time any cuts to just after fruiting in late winter so buds for next year are undisturbed.

Use clean secateurs to remove dead, damaged or overly leggy stems back to a healthy sideshoot. Light touch only — this slow-growing cultivar does not tolerate heavy cutting and may take several seasons to recover.