Skimmia japonica Rubesta

Skimmia japonica 'Rubesta' is a compact variety that is distinguished by its perfumed and well-coloured spring flowering, in red-pink with white dots. Not very tall, with a rounded habit and a dense evergreen vegetation, adorned with dark red flower buds from autumn, this shrub is attractive for a good part of the year. It is easily cultivated in shade or partial shade, in a preferably humus-rich, moist, limestone-free soil. It is simply perfect with rhododendrons and camellias. Ornamental, and nectar-rich, Skimmia attracts pollinating insects and a whole group of small fauna to the garden. Ideal in a Japanese garden, and of course in a container on the terrace!

Belonging to the rutaceae family like citrus trees, the Skimmia japonica originates from Asia and is present in Southeast Asia. 'Rubesta' is a little-known horticultural variety. Its habit is bushy, nicely rounded, as wide as it is tall, and its growth is quite slow. At maturity, the shrub will reach about 80-90 cm (32-35in) in all directions. The flower buds form from autumn on the branches, dark red and persist throughout the winter. The flowering itself, in April-May,  takes the form of almost round panicles 3 to 8 cm (1 to 3in) long, made up of a multitude of small star-shaped flowers, red-pink on the outside but white on the inside, measuring a few millimetres. Their slightly vanilla fragrance can be detected several metres away. The evergreen foliage is composed of tough oval-shaped leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long, tapering to a point. They are arranged alternately on the branches. It is a dense foliage that is slightly aromatic when crushed. This shrub is also very hardy, down to at least -15°C (5°F).

In a cool and humid climate, Skimmia japonica 'Rubesta' has a place in the undergrowth, along a north-facing facade, in a shrub bed, or in a small shaded hedge. It does not like limestone or dry soils and is sensitive to heat, but it can tolerate fairly difficult conditions, under bamboo or large trees, for example. It thrives in shade or partial shade, in the company of camellias, rhododendrons, heathers, and hydrangeas. Plant cyclamen, bergenias, and eranthis at its feet.