Escallonia

Sun

Full sun gives the best flowering; tolerates light partial shade.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but flower better with occasional deep watering during prolonged drought.

Soil

Well-drained soil of average fertility; tolerates sandy, loamy and clay soils provided they do not remain waterlogged.

Height

6-12 ft (1.8-3.7 m)

Spread

6-10 ft (1.8-3 m)

Flowers

Clusters of small, tubular pink to crimson-red flowers from early summer into early autumn, with the main flush usually in summer.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, glossy, dark green leaves with finely toothed edges; aromatic when crushed. Severe cold can cause leaf loss.

Growth

Moderate to fast in mild climates with adequate moisture.

Care needed

Medium

• Plant in spring in cooler districts; autumn planting suits mild climates with well-drained soil.
• Water deeply during dry spells through the first growing season.
• Apply an organic mulch in spring, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly with a balanced shrub fertiliser in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor.
• Give plants enough space for air circulation, and avoid overhead watering where leaf spot is a problem.

Pruning. Lightly trim after the main summer flowering flush; frequent hedge clipping reduces flowers. Remove frost-damaged wood in spring once new growth shows which stems are alive, and renovate overgrown plants gradually by cutting out some of the oldest stems.

Spring

Plant in cooler areas and water new shrubs thoroughly.

Mid-spring

Remove dead or frost-damaged shoots once new growth is visible.

Late spring

Refresh mulch and check young plants for aphids.

Summer

Water deeply during prolonged dry weather, especially while plants are establishing.

Late summer

Trim after the main flowering flush and take semi-ripe cuttings.

Autumn

Clear fallen spotted leaves; plant only where winters are mild and drainage is good.

Winter

Check for waterlogging and protect young plants from severe cold winds.

• Use as a flowering boundary hedge where winters are mild.
• Plant as a coastal wind filter, allowing its branches to grow naturally rather than clipping tightly.
• Place behind lavender, rock roses and ornamental grasses for contrasting leaf textures.
• Grow as a large informal shrub in a sunny mixed border, leaving room for its arching branches.

Garden styles it suits: Coastal, Mediterranean, English country, Cottage garden, Native hedgerow and Pollinator garden.

Plant it with: Lavender, Rock rose, Rosemary, Santolina, New Zealand flax and Mexican feather grass.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other insects. A mature, lightly trimmed hedge offers shelter and potential nesting cover for small birds.

• Leaf spot causes dark blotches, yellowing and premature leaf fall: collect fallen leaves, improve airflow and water at soil level.
• Cold winds and hard frost scorch leaves and kill shoot tips: choose a sheltered site and remove dead growth in spring.
• Waterlogged soil causes root decline and dieback: improve drainage before planting or choose a raised position.
• Aphids can distort soft new shoots: wash them off with water and encourage ladybirds and other predators.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses; no particular plant part is recognised as poisonous. Species-specific information is limited, so do not treat the leaves or flowers as edible.

Where it spreads. Has naturalised outside gardens in parts of south-eastern Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania. Local weed status varies; check regional guidance before planting near coastal vegetation or native bushland.

• Ivey's escallonia (Escallonia × iveyi)

  Has white flowers in conspicuous clusters and generally larger leaves, rather than the pink to red flowers of Escallonia rubra.

• Glossy abelia (Abelia × grandiflora)

  Has opposite leaves and pale pink or white bell-shaped flowers with persistent pinkish sepals; escallonia leaves are arranged alternately.

• Weigela (Weigela florida)

  Has larger, opposite leaves and broader trumpet-shaped flowers, and normally loses its leaves in winter.

Escallonia honours the Spanish plant collector Antonio Escallón, while rubra means red, referring to the flowers.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium under cover. Seed-grown plants may vary, especially where other escallonias grow nearby.

Accepted botanical name

Escallonia rubra

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Argentina South, Chile Central and Chile South.

Measured

Average height 247 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.