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Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' is an evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, dark green foliage and striking red flower buds that appear in the fall and last through winter, followed by fragrant white flowers in spring. This compact, low-maintenance shrub is perfect for shaded garden beds, borders, and containers.
Description:
- Dimensions: Grows to a height of 3-4 feet and spreads 3-4 feet wide.
- Sun Exposure: Prefers part shade, thriving with 2-4 hours of direct sunlight per day or filtered light.
- Water Requirements: Requires regular watering, keeping the soil consistently moist but well-drained.
- Hardiness Zones: Hardy in USDA zones 6-8.
- Bloom Time: Red buds form in fall, persisting through winter, and open to fragrant white flowers in spring.
- Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
How to Plant:
- Location: Choose a spot with part shade and well-draining soil.
- Soil Preparation: Amend the soil with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility.
- Planting: Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the plant in the hole with the top of the root ball level with the soil surface.
- Spacing: Space plants 3-4 feet apart for mature growth.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and regularly thereafter, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Fun Fact:
Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. 'Rubella' is a male cultivar, known for its decorative red buds, and can help pollinate female Skimmia plants to produce bright red berries.