SKIMMIA JAPONICA RUBELLA

Planting & Position

• Light:

  • Thrives in partial shade to full shade.

  • Avoid planting in full sun — it can bleach or scorch the leaves.

• Soil:

  • Prefers acidic to neutral, moist, well-drained soil.

  • In alkaline soil, leaves may yellow (chlorosis). Use ericaceous compost for containers or soil improvement.

• Shelter:

  • Prefers a sheltered spot, especially from cold drying winds.

• Size:

  • Typically grows 80–120 cm tall and 80–100 cm wide.

  • Naturally compact, rounded habit.

• Planting time:

  • Best planted in spring or autumn, though container plants can be planted almost any time.

Care & Maintenance

Skimmia ‘Rubella’ is very low-maintenance when given the right conditions.

• Watering:

  • Keep soil consistently moist, especially in the first year.

  • Water container plants regularly, especially in summer.

• Feeding:

  • Use an ericaceous feed in spring to maintain deep green foliage and strong bud colour.

  • Mulch annually with peat-free compost or bark.

• Pruning:

  • Rarely required.

  • If needed, lightly trim after flowering to maintain shape.

  • Avoid heavy pruning into old wood.

• Winter hardiness:

  • Fully hardy and reliable in Irish/UK winters.

  • Buds provide colour from autumn through winter.

Seasonal Interest & Uses

• Autumn & Winter:

  • Dense clusters of deep red flower buds appear in autumn and remain decorative through the whole winter.

• Spring:

  • Buds open into lightly scented creamy-white flowers in March–April.

• Foliage:

  • Glossy, leathery, evergreen leaves provide year-round structure.

• Best Uses:

  • Winter patio containers

  • Entrance planters

  • Shady borders

  • Woodland gardens

  • Mixed winter bedding and seasonal displays

  • Underplanting for trees and larger shrubs

• Wildlife:

  • Flowers attract early pollinators in spring.

In Summary:

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ is one of the finest evergreen shrubs for shade, offering months of deep red buds, spring flowers, and glossy foliage. Low-maintenance and compact, it’s perfect for adding winter colour to borders and containers. Plant in partial shade with acidic, well-drained soil, feed with ericaceous fertiliser, and enjoy its reliable year-round beauty.

• Size
  2 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.