|
Growth Rate
|
Moderate to fast; typically grows 1–2 ft per year under favorable conditions.
Mature size approximately 3–4 ft tall and wide, forming a dense, mounding habit ideal for compact spaces or low hedges.
|
|
Colorful leaves
|
|
|
Flowering
|
Yes |
|
Bloom Color
|
|
|
Disease resistant
|
Yes |
|
Cold Tolerant
|
Yes |
|
Heat Tolerant
|
Yes |
|
Drought Tolerant
|
Yes |
|
Deer Resistant
|
Yes |
|
Edible
|
No |
|
Wildlife Attraction
|
Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators due to its nectar-rich blooms.
Occasionally provides shelter for small birds thanks to its dense, evergreen structure.
|
|
Self-pollinating
|
|
|
Seasonality
|
Main flowering season: late spring to mid-summer.
Evergreen foliage offers year-round visual interest, even when not in bloom.
|
|
Ideal For
|
– Low hedge, foundation planting, seaside gardens, mixed shrub borders, pollinator-friendly landscapes, and decorative containers |
|
Leaf Description
|
Glossy, evergreen leaves, small and leathery with serrated edges.
Deep dark green color providing year-round texture and contrast.
Foliage emits a pleasant, slightly resinous scent when brushed.
|
|
Flower Description
|
Dense clusters of rosy pink to soft pink tubular flowers cover the plant in early to mid-summer.
Blooms are fragrant, long-lasting, and borne at branch tips, often attracting clouds of pollinators.
In favorable climates, a light repeat bloom may occur in late summer.
|
|
Planting Instructions
|
Choose a sunny to lightly shaded site with well-draining soil. Escallonia prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0–7.0).
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Loosen the surrounding soil to encourage root spread.
Place the plant so the crown sits at soil level, backfill with enriched soil (compost or aged bark mix), and water thoroughly.
Apply a 2–3 inch mulch layer around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the stems to maintain moisture and suppress weeds.
Space plants 3–4 feet apart if creating a low hedge or mass planting.
|
|
Pruning & Maintenance
|
Prune lightly after flowering to shape and encourage fresh, dense growth.
Remove spent flowers to promote a tidier appearance and potential secondary blooms.
Avoid hard pruning in late summer or fall, as it may affect next season’s flower buds.
|
|
Water Needs
|
Requires regular watering during establishment (first growing season).
Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant, thriving with weekly deep watering during dry spells.
Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot—Escallonia dislikes “wet feet.”
|
|
Light Needs
|
Prefers full sun for best flowering and compact form.
Tolerates partial shade, especially in hot climates, but too much shade reduces bloom density.
|
|
Fertilizing
|
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) in early spring.
For container-grown plants, use a liquid feed every 4–6 weeks through summer.
Avoid over-fertilizing; excessive nitrogen may reduce flowering.
|
|
Pollination
|
Self-fertile shrub; pollinated primarily by bees and butterflies attracted to its fragrant blossoms.
Produces small seed capsules, though fruiting is not ornamental.
|
|
Companion Plants
|
Shrubs: Hebe ‘Red Edge’, Ceanothus ‘Victoria’, Choisya ternata, Berberis ‘Crimson Pygmy’, or Spiraea japonica.
Perennials: Lavender, Salvia, Nepeta, Coreopsis, and Echinacea — all sharing similar sunlight and soil preferences.
Evergreen structure companions: Pittosporum tenuifolium, Euonymus fortunei, and dwarf Photinia cultivars.
Design tip: Combine with silver foliage plants (lavender, artemisia) to highlight the vivid pink flowers.
|
