Advice for very poorly Japanese Skimmia
Hello!
I have what I believe to be a Japanese skimmia in my yard that is in a bit of a state. It was already in our yard when we moved in a few years ago and I've never done a single thing to it.
I have recently got in to gardening and decided this guy needed sorting. I hadn't realised until today, just how bad things were!!!
I just thought I hadn't been pruning it and that was why it looked a bit sparse and rubbish. But I had memories of it flowering when we first moved in and it doesn't flower any more. On closer investigation I discovered that it was infested with scale insects!!! Eew, I know :( I have spent the afternoon brushing them all off and I have bought an insecticidal soap spray as well.
I have also read that skimmias don't like full sun so I've moved it to the shady side of the yard. I don't know anything about the soil it's potted up in but it's in my yard in the UK so it's usually well watered without any help from me! :')
What else can I do to help this guy? I'd like to cut it back so that it can grow into a more normal shape again but I don't know how or when is best to do this? Or is it beyond repair?
Healthy image attached from 2021! And current image where it doesn't even look like a skimmia anymore!