Escallonia Golden Carpet

If you are looking for a colourful evergreen shrub that will fit into a small space, with the bonus of fragrant flowers in summer, Escallonia Golden Carpet is the one for you. This brilliant coloured low-growing Escallonia comes in a small size but packs a big punch!

Native to South America, Escallonia has long been used as a hedging plant in the UK, but this low-spreading variety can be used in many different applications. It’s a sport of Escallonia Red Carpet, developed by Peter Moore, and was introduced in 2013, winning the Silver Medal at the GrootGroenPlus that year. The foliage is bright gold all summer, creating a striking contrast with the reddish-pink flowers that appear in June and July, and then again in September and October, when the leaves turn a dark lime green, remaining all winter for a pop of colour in the winter landscape.

Hardy in most parts of the UK, Escallonia Golden Carpet may require some winter protection in the most severe climates. It will grow to a mature height of 50 cm and spread of just 1 metre in 10 to 20 years. Prune lightly in mid-spring to shape the shrub and remove dead or damaged stems.

Plant Escallonia Golden Carpet in full sun or light shade in any well-drained soil, in a sheltered position with a south, east or west-facing aspect. As it is drought-tolerant it’s a good choice for dry soils. Escallonia Golden Carpet is ideal for coastal locations as it is very salt-tolerant, and as it also tolerates pollution, it can be used in city gardens. It is deer-resistant, so can be planted without extra protection on country properties. Disease-free, it’s a low-maintenance plant!

Escallonia Golden Carpet is small enough to make an effective container plant where its evergreen foliage will brighten things all year, and the summer and autumn flowers will add an extra level of visual interest. It is a good addition to a mixed border, or can be used at the front of a foundation planting of various evergreens, with its bright colour and low height adding variety to the picture. Use it in a rock garden, or on a dry slope to provide erosion control.

Escallonia Golden Carpet lives up to its name: this low-growing, brilliantly coloured Escallonia will make a big impact in your garden!