About
Produces clusters of small, tubular white flowers with recurved tips in summer. An evergreen shrub or small tree, that can reach up to 6m in its native environment, but rarely above 2m in cultivation. Has reddish stems and glossy, slightly sticky green leaves with finely toothed edges. Foliage has a spicy aroma when wet.
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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Wildlife gardens
Native toS America
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a sunny spot in fertile, well drained soil. Will not tolerate waterlogging or excess winter wet
PruningPruning group 9, after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and hardwood cuttings from late autumn to winter
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to escallonia leaf spot or to virus diseases