Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' (m)

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skimmia 'Rubella'

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Synonyms

Skimmia japonica reevesiana 'Rubella'
Skimmia rubella
Skimmia reevesiana var. rubella

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A small, bushy evergreen shrub with dark green, elliptic leaves to 10cm long. Panicles of red buds, showy in late winter, open to fragrant white flowers in early spring

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rutaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Skimmia are compact evergreen shrubs with simple, aromatic leaves and terminal panicles of small white or yellowish flowers followed, on fertilised female plants, by shiny red berries; most have male and female flowers on separate plants
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow on a good neutral to acid soil with added humus (from leaf mould or well-rotted manure). They will also tolerate a chalky soil that has been improved with well-rotted organic matter. Avoid full sun which can cause yellowing of the leaves

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8 if necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, and to vine weevil when grown in containers

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora and honey fungus