Horticulture Magazine

Escallonia

close up of the escallonia plant
By APRIL FOOT
April Foot, BA (Hons) - Gardener

April is a writer specialising in gardening and the environment. She is an avid wildlife-enthusiast and adventure-seeker, and feels happiest when in the Great Outdoors. April graduated from the University of Southampton in 2013 with a BA (Hons) degree in English.

/ Updated May 22nd, 2023
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY

Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.

/ Meets Our Editorial Guidelines

Escallonia is an evergreen, flowering shrub, commonly used as a hedging plant in the UK.

It is characterised by glossy, dark green leaves, and sweet-scented flowers in shades of white, pink or red – it is one of these red species, E. rubra that are commonly known as ‘Redclaws’.

The escallonia plant flowers from July to October, during which time it produces its signature, trumpet-shaped blooms.

These add welcome colour to borders and hedgerows in summer and autumn and can help to attract pollinators into your garden.

Overview

Botanical NameEscallonia rubra
Common Name(s)Red Claws / Red Escallonia
Plant TypeShrub
Native AreaSouth America
Hardiness RatingH4
FoliageEvergreen, glossy, leathery, toothed leaves
FlowersFive-petalled red, pink or white flowers
When To SowMarch, April, September, October
Flowering MonthsJuly, August, September
When To PruneMay, June
Sunlight

Preferred
Full Sun / Partial Shade

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered

Size

Height
2.5 – 4M

Spread
2.5 – 4M

Bloom Time
July – September

Soil

Preferred
Most Soil Types

Moisture
Moist But Well Drained

pH
Any

Originating in South America, escallonia has been cultivated and is now naturalised in western Europe.1Escallonia bifida. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:790989-1

It is a hardy plant and grows well in most parts of the UK, particularly along the south coast, where it flourishes in sandy soils.

However, it can thrive in all soil types, providing the soil is well-drained.

If you want to use Escallonia to create an attractive hedge, or as part of a border, check out this care and growing guide, for all you need to know about bringing these crimson trumpets into your garden.

pink escallonia flower with its five petals

Escallonia originates from South America – specifically southern Chile and Argentina – but has spread throughout the world.

It is a large, evergreen shrub, and part of the Escalloniaceae family.2Genus Escallonia. (n.d.). iNaturalist United Kingdom. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://uk.inaturalist.org/taxa/157269-Escallonia

There are approximately 41 species in total, one of which is the E. rubra.3Escallonia. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:37033-1#children

The plant has glossy, toothed dark green leaves, and trumpet-shaped flowers with 5 petals, which grow in panicles or terminal racemes.

trumpet shaped blooms of escallonia in shades of pink

In the case of E. rubra, these flowers are crimson red or pink and appear in late summer and early autumn.

Flowers are honey-scented and can attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to your garden.

Habitat & Growing Conditions

The natural habitat of escallonia is South America, where it grows mostly in Chile – however, it has been cultivated, and is now naturalised in many other parts of the world, including western Europe and New Zealand.

It is a generally hardy plant, but its ideal growing conditions are warm, sunny and sheltered.

It will grow in almost any soil type, but prefers fertile soil, and one which is moist, but well-drained.

How To Grow Escallonia

Escallonia rubra will grow to an ultimate height of 2.5–4m, with a spread to match, making it ideal for use as hedging, screen or border plant in the UK – although it can take 5–10 years to reach this height.

redclaws plant with trumpet flowers

The plant can be easily shaped and is also suitable for wall or trellis training.

Planting

The best time to plant young escallonia is in mid-late spring, to ensure that young seedlings or cuttings do not succumb to frost.

Mix a good fertiliser into the soil upon planting, and water well until the plant is established.

If your goal is to create a hedge, plant seedlings 30–40cm apart, in either a single or double row, to ensure good root establishment.

upright blooms of Escallonia laevis Pink Elle
E. laevis ‘Pink Elle’

Escallonia plants are fast-growing and quick to establish; they may grow up to 50cm a year in their first few years.

Where To Grow

The plant can tolerate full sun or partial shade, and an exposed or sheltered location – although its preference would be for a sunny, sheltered spot.

The ideal location is south, west or east facing – avoid north-facing positions, as these are unlikely to receive enough sunlight for the plant to thrive.

Providing the location is sheltered, and not exposed to cold, drying winds, you should not need to worry about escallonia overwintering in most parts of the UK, as it can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C.

an escallonia hedge

If temperatures drop lower than this, the plant will need protecting.

Escallonia Care

Escallonia is a fairly hardy plant, which grows well in most parts of the UK, and requires little ongoing care once established.

It can be used as a specimen plant, part of a garden border, or as hedging or screening.

“Escallonia makes a good coastal hedge, being resilient to salt-laden winds,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.

“Grown as a hedge, they can be prone to becoming a bit ungainly over time and to sections of die back.

“It’s a good idea to take regular insurance cuttings to make sure you have plants to replace as necessary.”

Soil Requirements

Escallonia will grow in all soil types, including clay, loam, chalk and sand, and can thrive in all pHs.

Upon planting, mix in a healthy dose of blood, fish and bone fertiliser, to give your plant the best possible start.

Watering

Escallonia prefers its soil to be moist, but not water-logged, so make sure it has good drainage, and try to keep it free of weeds for the first year.

During the first two years of growth, it may be necessary to water your escallonia during summer, to prevent the young roots drying out.

green serrated leaves of E. 'Red Dream'

After that, watering should not be required, except in periods of drought.

Propagation

The best and easiest way to propagate escallonia is by taking cuttings.

Take softwood cuttings in late spring and early summer, semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, and hardwood cuttings in autumn.

  1. Take the cuttings early in the day, as this is when they will be most turgid.
  2. Use a sharp knife to cut 10cm long, non-flowering shoots from the parent plant, making the cut just above a bud.
  3. If possible, plant the cuttings immediately – otherwise, they can be stored in the fridge for a maximum of 12 hours.
  4. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, dip the base in a rooting hormone, and insert into a container filled with cuttings compost.
  5. Water well, cover with a plastic bag and place the cuttings in a warm, light location.
  6. Remove the bag a few times a week to ventilate, keep the soil moist, and remove any dead or dying material.
  7. After approximately 8–10 weeks, your cuttings should have taken root, and be ready to plant out individually.

Although taking cuttings is by far the most common method of propagation, it is also possible to buy seeds from specialist growers – this may be a good option if you want to grow a rare species of escallonia.

Common Problems

One of the most common issues to watch out for with this plant is escallonia leaf spot.

Escallonia Leaf Spot

This relatively new fungal disease causes purple and black leaf spots, often with white centres.

As it advances, the leaves turn yellow and drop from the plant.

foliage of a plant affected by leaf spot

It most commonly occurs in summer, although your plant could be struck at any time.

To tackle the disease, you should remove any infected material from the plant and the surrounding area immediately, to prevent it from spreading.

Prune the plant back hard, to encourage new growth, and apply a fungicide, to prevent reinfection.

Take good care of the plant by feeding and watering it regularly, to help it fight the disease, being careful not to overwater.

Scale

Scale insects may also be a problem with escallonia, as on many ornamental plants.

Signs that your plant is infested with these pests include visible scales or bumps on the leaves of the plant, a sticky substance on the leaves which can turn to sooty mould, and distorted foliage growth.

To treat an infestation of scale insects, you have the option of biological or pesticide control.

Biological control involves introducing a natural predator to the environment, such as parasitoid wasps or the Chilocorus nigrtus ladybird, which can be purchased from mail-order companies.

bee sat on the flowers of a redclaws plant

The best pesticides are organic sprays, such as plant oils or fatty acids, which are less likely to interfere with other, larger insects.

Always make sure to only spray pesticides when plants are not in flower, to avoid harming pollinators.

FAQs

Is Escallonia Evergreen?

In mild climates, escallonia plants are evergreen shrubs, meaning they retain their glossy dark-green foliage year-round.

This makes them ideal for use as hedging or screening plants, as they will not turn bare in winter.

However, in more extreme parts in the UK, such as the north of Scotland, or if they are exposed to windy conditions or sub-zero temperatures, escallonia plants may experience leaf discolouration, and can lose their leaves.

When Does Escallonia Flower?

Escallonia is a relatively late bloomer; flowering from summer until autumn.

close up of white escallonia flowers

The flowers are various shades of crimson, pink or white, depending on the species.

E. rubra generally produces the first clusters of its signature red, trumpet-shaped blooms in July, and can continue until October.

Can Escallonia Be Grown In Containers?

Some dwarf varieties of escallonia are suitable for container growth.

A good example is E. rubra ‘Pygmaea’, which still has the signature crimson red flowers, but is small and compact, reaching a maximum of around 1m in height.

Make sure to choose pots with good drainage, to ensure your escallonia doesn’t become waterlogged.

lime green leaves and pink buds of Escallonia 'Golden Carpet' with garden decking in the background
E. ‘Golden Carpet’

Plant in a humus-rich compost, and feed container-grown escallonia weekly during summer, to encourage flowering.

You will probably need to repot your escallonia each year, as it grows.

References

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