BBC Gardeners' World

Plant details

• Common Name: Skimmia
• Genus: Skimmia
• Species: japonica
• Cultivar: 'Rubella'
• Skill Level: beginner
• Exposure: partial shade, shade
• Hardiness: hardy
• Soil type: acidic, clay/heavy, dry, well-drained/light
• Height: 0.75m
• Spread: 0.75m

There are numerous lovely skimmias, generally from the Himalayas and the Far East, and these form evergreen shrubs of varying heights. Most are dioecious, meaning they have male and female flowers on different plants, and both sexes must be planted to ensure a crop of fruits. 'Rubella' is a compact male variety with attractive red-margined, dark green leaves. The flower buds, which appear in autumn and winter, are a prominent feature of the plant, as are the scented flowers which open in spring. It is perfect for growing in containers and provides good all year round colour. 'Rubella' has been given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which is for plants of outstanding excellence.