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Escallonia rubra var. macrantha
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Chilean gum box

A large, evergreen shrub to about 3m in height and spread, with broadly oval, glossy, dark green leaves to 8cm long. Loose clusters of tubular, bright rose-red flowers to 1.5cm long appear from mid-summer to autumn

Synonyms
Escallonia macrantha
Escallonia sanguinea
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Pink Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Escalloniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
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
Chile, Argentina

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in well-drained soil in a sunny position protected from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings late autumn to winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to escallonia leaf spot and honey fungus

Get involved

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