Escallonia
Escallonia rubra
A fast-growing evergreen shrub bearing clusters of small tubular flowers from June to October in shades of pink, red and white. Glossy dark green leaves remain attractive year-round. Especially well suited to coastal gardens, where it tolerates salt spray and wind. Widely used for hedging in seaside areas of south and west England, Wales and Ireland. Less reliable in cold inland regions.
How to grow escallonia
Plant in spring in a sunny, sheltered position. Escallonia thrives in mild coastal areas and performs best in well-drained soil that does not sit wet in winter. In colder inland gardens, plant against a south or west-facing wall for protection. Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, it is reasonably drought-tolerant. Mulch in spring with compost. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in April. For hedging, plant 45-60cm apart. Escallonia responds well to clipping and makes a dense, wind-resistant barrier. The cultivar 'Apple Blossom' with pink and white flowers and 'Crimson Spire' with deep red flowers are among the most reliable for UK gardens.
Pruning
Trim hedges and shaped plants in late summer after the main flowering flush. Free-standing shrubs need only light pruning to remove dead or frost-damaged growth in spring. If plants become leggy, cut back hard in late spring — they usually regrow well from old wood. In cold winters, wait until late spring to assess frost damage before pruning.
Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
- Softwood cuttings in early summer
Common problems
- Frost damage in cold inland gardens
- Escallonia leaf spot causing brown patches
- Can become straggly without regular trimming