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Escallonia laevis 'Gold Ellen' (v)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A compact, evergreen shrub to about 2m with small, shiny, yellow leaves with an irregular dark green splash in the centre. Clusters of small, dark pink flowers are produced in late summer

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Variegated Yellow
Summer Pink Green Variegated Yellow
Autumn Green Variegated Yellow
Winter Green Variegated Yellow
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Escalloniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Escallonia are evergreen shrubs with glossy, leathery, toothed leaves, sometimes sticky, and 5-petalled white, pink or red flowers in terminal racemes or panicles in summer and early autumn

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and hardwood cuttings late autumn to winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hedging and screens
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to escallonia leaf spot and honey fungus

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