Common name: Escallonia

Description: Escallonia laevis Pink Elle ='Lades' is a compact and floriferous evergreen shrub producing an outstanding display of soft rose-pink flowers from early summer right through to autumn. The small, glossy, dark green leaves provide a neat, dense backdrop for the prolific blooms, and the whole plant has a tidy, rounded habit that requires minimal pruning. Highly tolerant of coastal exposure and salt-laden winds, it is an excellent choice for seaside gardens, mixed borders, and low hedging. The flowers are a magnet for bees throughout the season.

Other benefits: extremely long flowering season, coastal tolerant, excellent for low hedging

Wildlife attraction: bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.5m x 1.5m

Position: full sun to partial shade

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline

Moisture: well-drained; reasonably drought tolerant once established

Winter hardiness: cold hardy to -10°C; shelter in colder areas