Skimmia 'Rubella' – Fragrant Flowering Evergreen Shrub
Skimmia 'Rubella' – Fragrant Flowering Evergreen Shrub
Skimmia 'Rubella' – Winter Fragrance, Year-Round Elegance
Few shrubs earn their place in the garden as quietly and confidently as Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'. A slow-growing, compact evergreen, it offers something beautiful in every season — deep red buds forming in autumn, a flush of delicate white flowers in spring, and rich, glossy foliage that holds its colour through the coldest months.
The fragrance is a particular pleasure: sweet and subtle, carried on the air in late winter and early spring when little else is in bloom. Plant it near a path, entrance, or seating area to make the most of it.
Key Features
- Compact, dome-forming evergreen — ideal for borders, containers, and shaded spots
- Striking deep red flower buds from autumn through winter
- Sweetly scented white flowers in spring
- Thrives in shade and partial shade — perfect under trees or north-facing beds
- Fully hardy across the UK (RHS H5)
- Low maintenance and long-lived
Growing Guide
- Position: Partial to full shade; sheltered from harsh winds
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral (ericaceous compost recommended for containers)
- Mature size: Approx. 1m × 1m over 10 years
- Supplied as: Established 4–5 litre pot-grown plant, ready to plant out
A male variety, 'Rubella' is an excellent pollinator for female Skimmia planted nearby, encouraging berry production across your planting scheme.
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Planting Instructions
Plant in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Skimmia 'Rubella' dislikes alkaline conditions — use ericaceous compost for container planting and mulch with leaf mould or pine bark to maintain soil acidity.
Dig a hole to the depth of the root ball and twice as wide. Backfill, firm gently, and water in thoroughly. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch clear of the stems.
'Rubella' is a male variety and will not produce berries itself, but it is an excellent pollinator for nearby female Skimmia, encouraging berry production across your planting scheme. Plant within 2–3m of a female variety for best results.
Little pruning is required. Remove any dead or damaged growth in spring after flowering. Avoid hard pruning, which can spoil the natural dome-forming habit.
Size & Specification
Supplied as an established plant in a 4–5 litre pot, well-established and ready to plant out immediately. At supply, plants are typically 30–50cm in height and width.
Mature size approximately 1m × 1m, reached slowly over 10 or more years. A compact, dome-forming shrub with a neat, self-shaping habit. Fully hardy (RHS H5).
Delivery & Dispatch
Dispatched within 3–5 working days of ordering, subject to availability. Supplied as a pot-grown specimen in a 4–5 litre pot, ready for immediate planting.
Plants are securely packaged to protect foliage and stems during transit. Delivered by courier; tracking information will be provided once dispatched.
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
Skimmia 'Rubella' is a valuable early-season plant for wildlife. The sweetly scented white flowers open in late winter and early spring, providing an early nectar source for emerging bumblebee queens and other pollinators at a time when little else is in bloom.
As a male pollinator variety, it plays an important role in encouraging berry production on nearby female Skimmia. Skimmia berries, when produced, are a food source for birds including thrushes and blackbirds through the autumn and winter months.
The dense, glossy evergreen foliage also provides year-round shelter and nesting cover for small birds and invertebrates, particularly in shaded garden areas.