Botanical Name: Escallonia spp.
Common Name: Escallonia
Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Exotic
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Shrub
Flower Colour : Pink, white
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season : Summer
Light : Sun to semi shade
Hardiness : Hardy
Attributes : Wind resistant, tolerant to salt spray
Height (m) : 2.5
Spread (m) : 1.5
Notes : Where dry or windy conditions are a problem, whether inland or on the coast, escallonias are the answer. Escallonia x langleyensis ‘Apple Blossom’ is one of the prettiest of the many hybrids, with small, trumpet-shaped, pink and white flowers, which are produced in profusion along whippy stems and show up well against the glossy, dark green foliage. Plant as an individual border plant in combination with shrubs and annuals which have white, pink or red flowers, or use it as a dense hedge or screen. This versatile plant can also be trained against a wall. Being wind resistant and tolerant of salt spray, it makes a particularly useful plant for coastal gardens.
This shrub grows easily in most inland areas as it is both drought and frost resistant. It also grows well in the winter-rainfall regions, especially along the coast, but is not well suited to hot, humid conditions.
Plant it in full sun or partial shade in fairly fertile soil. Water it during dry weather, especially during summer in the winter-rainfall regions. It should be pruned lightly after flowering.