Escallonia rubra var. macrantha
Red escallonia
Also known as Escallonia macrantha, Escallonia macrantha 'Rubra'
- Height × spread
- 3.5m × 3.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a dense evergreen shrub with small shiny dark green leaves. The leaves have an intriguing aroma that comes from the resinous glands that lie on the undersides of the leaf. Touch them to release it, though it may make your fingers tacky! This flowers with some freedom from June, when it has plentiful clusters of bright rose- red tubular flowers with flared lips, that come from warm red brown young stalks. It is a useful hedging plant and is especially used in seaside areas in the southern parts of England as it has good resistance to salt sprays. In more northern or colder parts of the country it benefits from a warm wall which it can cover with fresh green foliage. It can be trimmed as needed and the long arching branches can be pruned hard back to maintain the required size.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, spicy-musk-strange
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 3.5m
- Spread
- 3.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Hedge, Structural, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Walls
- East, South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - mid-late · Planting
Trim the plant
Trim the plant to give it a general tidy. This includes removing any lengthy or awkward shoots that make the plant look visually less attractive. Remove any spent flower heads at the same time.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Hedges · Planting
Suitable for coastal areas
A good hedge for coastal situations.
Found in
More Escallonia
Escallonia
Escallonia 'Iveyi'
Escallonia 'Red Dream'
Escallonia Golden Carpet = 'Alcaura'
Escallonia laevis 'Gold Brian'
Pink scallonia
Escallonia laevis 'Gold Ellen'
Escallonia 'Apple Blossom'
Escallonia 'C. F. Ball'