Escallonia rubra var. macrantha
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
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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
H4Botanical 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
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to escallonia leaf spot and honey fungus
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