Escallonia bifida
cloven gum box
A bushy, upright evergreen shrub to 3m, with shiny dark green leaves and rounded terminal panicles of pure white flowers with spreading petals, borne in late summer and autumn
Synonyms
Escallonia paniculata misappliedEscallonia floribunda misapplied
see moreEscallonia montevidensis
Escallonia floribunda var. montevidensis
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White | Green | ||
Autumn | White | Green | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Escalloniaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun in a sheltered location, but in colder areas may require protection from cold drying winds and is best suited to inner city or southern county areas; ideal for wall training
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings from late autumn to winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insect
Diseases
May be susceptible to escallonia leaf spot and honey fungus
Get involved
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