SHRUBS > ESCALLONIA
IN THIS guidebook
ESCALLONIA GUIDES
PruningVarieties
Escallonia is an evergreen , flowering shrub , ordinarily used as a elude plant in the UK .
It is characterised by glossy , sour green leaves , and sweet - scented blossom in shadowiness of lily-white , pink or red – it is one of these violent species , E. rubrathat are commonly experience as ‘ Redclaws ’ .
E. laevis‘Pink Elle’
The escallonia plant flowers from July to October , during which time it produces its signature , horn - shaped blooms .
These add together welcome colour to borders and hedgerows in summer and autumn and can help to appeal pollinator into your garden .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun / Partial Shade
ExposureExposed or Sheltered
Height2.5 – 4 meter
Spread2.5 – 4 M
Bloom TimeJuly – September
PreferredMost Soil Types
MoistureMoist But Well drain
pHAny
Originating in South America , escallonia has been cultivated and is now naturalised in western Europe.1Escallonia bifida . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . recollect March 15 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:790989-1
E. laevis‘Pink Elle’
It is a hardy works and grows well in most division of the UK , particularly along the south coast , where it thrive in sandy grease .
However , it can thrive in all soil types , providing the filth is well - drained .
If you want to use Escallonia to make an attractive hedge , or as part of a border , check out this care and growing guide , for all you need to recognize about get these crimson trumpets into your garden .
Escallonia originates from South America – specifically southern Chile and Argentina – but has spread out throughout the world .
It is a enceinte , evergreen bush , and part of the Escalloniaceae family.2Genus Escallonia . ( n.d . ) . iNaturalist United Kingdom . retrieve March 15 , 2023 , fromhttps://uk.inaturalist.org/taxa/157269-Escallonia
There are approximately 41 species in total , one of which is theE. rubra.3Escallonia . ( n.d . ) . Plants of the World Online . Retrieved May 22 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:37033-1#children
The plant has shining , toothed dark green leaves , and trump - shaped flower with 5 petals , which grow in panicle or terminus raceme .
In the case ofE. rubra , these flowers are cherry-red blood-red or pink and appear in late summertime and other autumn .
Flowers are honey - scented and can attract pollinator , such as bee and butterflies , to your garden .
E.‘Golden Carpet’
Habitat & Growing Conditions
The natural habitat of escallonia is South America , where it grows mostly in Chile – however , it has been civilise , and is now naturalised in many other parts of the world , admit westerly Europe and New Zealand .
It is a generally hardy plant , but its idealistic growing weather condition are affectionate , sunny and sheltered .
It will acquire in almost any soil type , but choose productive soil , and one which is moist , but well - run out .
How To Grow Escallonia
Escallonia rubrawill grow to an ultimate summit of 2.5–4 m , with a spread to match , making it idealistic for use as hedge , screen or moulding plant life in the UK – although it can take 5–10 year to reach this height .
The plant can be easy shaped and is also worthy for bulwark or trellis preparation .
The in force time to plant vernal escallonia is in mid - tardy spring , to check that young seedling or cuttings do not succumb to hoarfrost .
blend a good plant food into the filth upon planting , and body of water well until the plant is established .
If your goal is to create a hedging , plant seedling 30–40 centimeter apart , in either a single or threefold rowing , to insure good root institution .
Escallonia plants are tight - growing and quick to establish ; they may grow up to 50 centimetre a twelvemonth in their first few years .
The plant can digest full Lord’s Day or fond spectre , and an exposed or sheltered location – although its preference would be for a cheery , sheltered bit .
The ideal localization is south , west or eastern United States veneer – avoid Second Earl of Guilford - face up position , as these are unlikely to receive enough sunshine for the plant to thrive .
provide the positioning is sheltered , and not expose to frigid , drying winds , you should not need to worry about escallonia overwintering in most parts of the UK , as it can suffer temperature down to -10 ° one C .
If temperatures dangle lower than this , the plant will require protecting .
Escallonia Care
Escallonia is a evenhandedly hardy plant , which grows well in most parts of the UK , and ask piffling ongoing care once establish .
It can be used as a specimen plant , part of a garden border , or as hedging or covering .
“ Escallonia makes a just coastal hedge , being resilient to salt - laden winds , ” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .
“ grow as a hedge , they can be prostrate to becoming a number ungainly over time and to sections of die back .
“ It ’s a ripe idea to take even indemnity clipping to verify you have plants to supervene upon as necessary . ”
Escallonia will grow in all soil types , let in Lucius Clay , loam , chalk and sand , and can thrive in all pH .
Upon planting , mix in a healthy dose of stemma , fish and bone fertiliser , to give your plant life the best potential kickoff .
Escallonia prefers its soil to be moist , but not water - logged , so ensure it has good drainage , and strain to keep it free of dope for the first twelvemonth .
During the first two years of growth , it may be necessary to water your escallonia during summer , to keep the youthful roots dry out .
After that , watering should not be require , except in periods of drought .
Propagation
The best and soft path to broadcast escallonia is by taking cuttings .
Take softwood cuttings in late leaping and early summer , semi - hardwood cutting in late summer , and hardwood cuttings in autumn .
Although demand cuttings is by far the most common method acting of propagation , it is also possible to buy seed from specialist raiser – this may be a good selection if you need to uprise a rarified species of escallonia .
Container Growing
Some dwarf kind of escallonia are suitable for container increment .
A good example isE. rubra‘Pygmaea ’ , which still has the theme song red red flower , but is small and stocky , get through a maximum of around 1 chiliad in elevation .
Make certain to pick out pots with dependable drainage , to ensure your escallonia does n’t become waterlogged .
flora in a humus - rich compost , and feed container - grown escallonia weekly during summer , to further flowering .
You will in all probability require to repot your escallonia each year , as it arise .
Common Problems
One of the most common issues to watch out for with this plant is escallonia folio spot .
This relatively new fungous disease have purple and black leaf point , often with white centres .
As it bring forward , the leave turn yellow-bellied and drop from the plant .
It most usually come about in summertime , although your plant could be struck at any clock time .
To harness the disease , you should withdraw any infected material from the plant life and the surrounding area straight off , to prevent it from spread .
Prune the industrial plant back hard , to further new growth , and apply a antimycotic agent , to forestall reinfection .
Take skillful care of the flora by feeding and watering it on a regular basis , to avail it fight the disease , being careful not to overwater .
Scale insects may also be a problem with escallonia , as on many decorative plant .
Signs that your plant is invade with these pests include visible scales or swelling on the leaves of the industrial plant , a embarrassing inwardness on the leaf which can call on to sooty mold , and distorted leafage outgrowth .
To address an infestation of ordered series louse , you have the option of biological or pesticide control .
Biological mastery involves infix a born vulture to the environment , such as parasitoid wasp or theChilocorus nigrtusladybird , which can be purchased from mail - orderliness companies .
The best pesticides are organic spray , such as plant life oils or butterball dot , which are less likely to interfere with other , larger insects .
Always ensure to only spray pesticides when flora are not in flower , to avoid harming pollinator .
