Shade or part shade for the Skimmia, prefers moist soil - Photinias do need a bit of sun, though it doesn't have to be full sun.

Thank you, Bamboo...
Do you have any further comments, please, about whether the shrubs would lose variegation due to lack of sunshine ?

the Skimmia should be fine, well, at least according to the info on line, I've never grown it. Not too sure about the Photinia though, there's no info regarding sun or shade anywhere that I can find. My Encyclopaedia suggests that basic Photinia should be planted in a sheltered spot in good garden soil, and again doesn't mention necessity for either sun or shade - that implies the basic species doesn't care and will retain its colour anyway, though that may not necessarily apply to this variegated form. I think maybe you should let us all know how well it does in shade, TT, lol!

Thanks, Bamboo.... I appreciate your research...

Before I posted this question, I had a look around online, but I couldn't come to any definite conclusions...

I'll put the Skimmia in the shaded area, but keep it in a pot, so I can move it easily if it needs to get some sunlight.

I'll let you know how my plants cope with the varying conditions ! :o)

I'm more concerned about the Photinia than the Skimmia - love to know how well that does in shade - not well if its complete shade I wouldn't have thought, but dappled shade, or sun/shade might be fine.

Yes, I think the Photinia wouldn't like the full shade... I'll pick out an area for that one which gets some sun ...

I've had a look on GoYpedia shade plants, but would be interested to know your favourites of EVERGREEN plants which cope with shade. Thanks.

Variegated Elaeagnus varieties cope with shade, retaining their variegation well, though they get to be pretty large shrubs. Another one which does pretty well in shade, but isn't evergreen is Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' - has glorious almost white and green leaves and red stems, can be stooled, should be pruned regularly to encourage red stems for the winter, and the leaf colour in shade is really quite startling, doesn't fade at all.

Thank you :o)

I forgot about Euonymus fortunei varieties, such as Emerald n Gold, etc., - most of these lose their variegation in full sun, so do pretty well in shadier spots.

Do you mean, for instance, that Emerald n Gold... grown in full sun, would turn all-gold with no green ? I'd always presumed that such plants needed sunshine to maintain their variegation, but maybe the answer is dappled shade, or sun for part of the day ?

According to my Encyclopaedia, the only E. fortunei cultivar which retains its full variegation in full sun is Golden Prince (syn Gold Tip). Certainly I have an Emerald'n Gold in a garden which is in full sun - it is no longer variegated (except underneath, where its sheltered) and is now bright yellow year round, not variegated. Which is fine, it's next to Weigela purpureum, so they look great together, lol! I have various other varieties of E. fortunei in part sun, part shade, and mostly shade, which have all retained their variegation, so it looks like its true.

Your comments have reminded me that this summer I planted a row of small Euonymus ... variegated...

I've just ventured out in the rain to check on them... they are Emerald 'n' Gold...... and they start in shade, each one along the line getting a little more sunshine...

... the one in almost permanent shade has variegation, but only in shades of green.... and I can see which parts of the others in the line get sunshine as they have the "gold" in those parts of their foliage ... fascinating ...

I have had the skimmia "Magic Marlot" for about 3 years now. 2 years or so in a pot, planted in the garden this spring. It does not lose its variagation and is happy enough in full sun....but does fade a little. It seems to like its present situation....dappled shade....

Thanks, Alice... useful information....

You'r welcome TT :-)

Have you tried growing cuttings from Skimmias ?

No I haven't.....but its a thought....thanks TT....

Yes, I think I might give that a try ...
I guess next Spring would be a good time ...

I would think so....

:o)))