Agapetes serpens 'Scarlet Elf'

RHS Plant Profile
creeping agapetes 'Scarlet Elf'

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A lax, evergreen shrub with small, pointed, dark green leaves and bright red, urn-shaped flowers 2cm long, hanging beneath the stems in late winter and spring. An unusual shrub for a conservatory or frost-free greenhouse, or outdoors in a very sheltered garden

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Toxic if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Agapetes can be upright or scrambling, usually evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery, opposite leaves and solitary or clustered, bell-shaped, tubular or urn-shaped flowers with 5 short lobes
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in ericaceous compost in bright, filtered light. In the growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Outdoors grow in well-drained acidic soil in a very sheltered position in bright, filtered light

Propagation

Propagate by taking semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, or by layering in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 11

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free