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SKU 165756

Skimmia Japonica Rubella 2 Litre Pot

An exceptional evergreen shrub that delivers beauty, fragrance, and structure across all seasons

Original price £0
Original price £8.95 - Original price £8.95
Original price
Current price £8.95
£8.95 - £8.95
Current price £8.95
Availability:
25 in stock.
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Pickup available at Grasslands Nursery

Usually ready next day 9am Monday - Saturday when ordered before 3pm. Orders placed Saturday & Sunday ready to collect Monday. Please DO NOT travel to the nursery until you have recived confirmation the order is ready.

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Skimmia Japonica Rubella

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ – Striking Red Buds & Glossy Foliage for All-Season Elegance

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ is a highly decorative, male evergreen shrub celebrated for its rich red flower buds and glossy foliage. A true winter-to-spring showstopper, ‘Rubella’ delivers months of visual interest with its long-lasting crimson buds that eventually open into fragrant white blooms. Its compact habit, excellent shade tolerance, and year-round structure make it a standout choice for containers, borders, and shaded garden settings.


Seasonal Beauty & Growth

Autumn:
The show begins in autumn, when the shrub becomes covered in clusters of deep red buds—creating a dramatic and festive effect that lasts well into spring.

Winter:
‘Rubella’ holds onto its vibrant buds through the coldest months, providing bold winter interest when most plants lie dormant. Its glossy, deep green foliage remains pristine and compact.

Spring:
As temperatures rise, the buds burst into fragrant, creamy-white flowers, attracting pollinators and signaling the arrival of spring with a fresh burst of contrast against the evergreen backdrop.

Summer:
Post-flowering, the shrub continues to offer neat, rich green foliage and a dense, mounded form that holds its shape beautifully without intervention.


Structure & Form

‘Rubella’ is a slow-growing, rounded shrub reaching 80–100 cm in height and width, making it well-suited for containers, small gardens, and structured borders.

  • Foliage: Leathery, dark green leaves with a glossy surface and aromatic scent when crushed.

  • Buds & Flowers: Abundant, long-lasting clusters of dark red buds in autumn and winter; white, fragrant flowers in spring.

  • Growth Habit: Neatly rounded and dense, requiring little to no pruning to maintain its form.


Perfect for Various Landscapes

Shade Borders & Woodland Gardens: Excellent performance in partial to full shade, ideal for underplanting beneath trees or filling difficult shady corners.

Winter Interest Displays: Plant near paths, windows, or entrances where its striking red buds can be appreciated during winter months.

Containers & Courtyards: Outstanding container specimen, adding evergreen structure and seasonal drama to patios or entryways.

Formal Gardens: Perfect for low evergreen structure in clipped or semi-formal garden designs.


Growing Conditions & Care

  • Position: Prefers partial to full shade. Protect from strong midday sun, which may scorch the foliage.

  • Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil is essential. Avoid chalky or highly alkaline soils, which can cause yellowing leaves (chlorosis).

  • Hardiness: Fully hardy (USDA zones 6–9; UK H5), tolerating frost, pollution, and coastal conditions.

  • Watering: Water regularly during the first season to establish. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, though it prefers consistent moisture.

  • Maintenance: Very low-maintenance. No regular pruning required. Light trim after flowering if desired. Feed annually with an ericaceous fertilizer in early spring.


Why Choose Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’?

  • Bold Red Buds: Striking crimson flower buds provide standout winter color and drama.

  • Fragrant Spring Blooms: Buds open into delicately scented white flowers, supporting early pollinators.

  • Evergreen Structure: Maintains a neat, compact form with glossy green foliage all year long.

  • Thrives in Shade: One of the best-performing evergreens for shaded areas and woodland-style gardens.


Perfect Plant Combinations

  • Heuchera & Ferns: Underplant with colorful Heucheras or shade-loving ferns for texture and tonal contrast.

  • Camellias & Pieris: Pair with other acid-loving evergreens for layered interest and seasonal bloom succession.

  • Hellebores & Cyclamen: Add winter and early spring color by combining with Helleborus niger, Cyclamen coum, or snowdrops.

  • Boxwood or Ilex crenata: Use alongside clipped evergreens for a formal, structured layout.


Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ is an exceptional evergreen shrub that delivers beauty, fragrance, and structure across all seasons. Its dramatic winter buds, fragrant spring blooms, and adaptability to shade make it an essential addition to low-maintenance, year-round gardens with refined character and impact.

Skimmia Japonica Rubella 2 Litre Pot Grasslands Nursery White Evergreen

Does the height include the pot?

No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description

How long does delivery take?

Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.

Where will you leave my plants?

We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.

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