About

A vigorous evergreen shrub to about 3m in height, with glossy dark green leaves to 7cm long, often bronze-tinted in cold weather, and large conical panicles of scented, pure white flowers in mid and late summer.

About the genus

Escallonia are evergreen shrubs with glossy, leathery, toothed leaves, sometimes sticky, and 5-petalled white, pink or red flowers in terminal racemes or panicles in summer and early autumn

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesMediterranean climate plants, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrows best in well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, drying winds; ideal for wall training
PruningPruning group 9
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings from late autumn to winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to escallonia leaf spot and honey fungus