Escallonia

Escallonia
A genus of 60 species of shrubs or small trees that are native to temperate regions of South America, mostly in the southern Andes Mountains region. Most species are evergreen.
They thrive especially well in maritime climates including much of the British Isles and milder parts of the Pacific Northwest. Escallonias do not enjoy the humidity and warm summer nights in the southeastern U.S. Many species tolerate clipping and make great hedges.
Propagation is from seed, semi-hardwood cuttings taken during autumn or softwood cuttings taken during spring.

* photos of unknown internet source

Escallonia 'Apple Blossom'
A handsome, fast growing shrub, reaching a maximum size of 15 x 9 feet. Some records include: 5 years - 10 feet.
The leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are glossy deep green.
The large, white and pink flowers are borne on short, terminal racemes.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Escallonia bifida ( White Escallonia )
Also called Escallonia montevidensis. A fast growing, attractive, dense, long-lived, evergreen small tree, reaching a maximum size of 30 x 27 feet, that is native to Uruguay and neighboring parts of Brazil. Some record include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet; 20 years - 20 x 17 feet; largest on record - 45 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The finely-toothed leaves, up to 4 x 0.8 inches in size, are glossy deep green above, pale green beneath. The leaves have a white midrib.
The fragrant, white flowers are borne on panicles, up to 9 x 5 inches in size, all summer long.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

'Compact Form'
A compact, dense, dwarf form, reaching only 6 x 5 feet. It is shearable and makes a great hedge.

Escallonia 'Donard Beauty'
A rounded shrub, reaching up to 10 x 10 feet.
The aromatic leaves are large for an Escallonia.
The very abundant flowers are intense rosy-red.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Escallonia x exoniensis
A fast growing, upright, large, evergreen shrub, reaching an average of 6 x 6 feet in 10 years with an eventual maximum size of 25 x 25 feet. It is the hybrid of Escallonia rosea and E. rubra. It makes a great hedge.
The leaves, up to 2 x 0.5 inches in size, are glossy deep green above, bright green beneath.
The white to pale pink flowers are borne on loose panicles at the stem tips. They are borne over a very long season from late spring to late autumn.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil. Pruning after blooming will encourage denser habit.

'Fradesii'
Also called 'Pink Priness'. Deep red flowers; otherwise identical.

* photos taken on May 2 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 2 2015 in Elkridge, MD

Escallonia illinata
Also called Escallonia viscosa. An evergreen large shrub to small tree, reaching a maximum size of 33 x 15 feet, that is native to Chile.
The aromatic leaves, up to 2.5 inches in length, are glossy deep green.
The white flowers are borne on cylindrical panicles up to 1.5 inches in length.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Escallonia laevis
A dense, multi-stemmed, rounded, evergreen, large shrub, reaching a maximum size of 20 x 17 feet, that is native to the Organ Mountains in southern Brazil. Some record include: fastest growth rate - 3 feet.
The aromatic, finely-toothed, oval or obovate leaves are up to 3 inches in length. The foliage is deep green above, bright green beneath.
The mid-pink ( rosy-red in bud ) flowers are borne on pyramidal panicles, up to 3 inches in length, during summer and early autumn.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Escallonia leucantha
A very attractive, upright, evergreen, large shrub to small tree, reaching a maximum size of 30 ( rarely over 15 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot. It is native to central Chile and is especially common in Valdivia. It can live up to 80 years or more.
The obovate leaves, up to 1 inch in length, are bright green at first, turning to glossy deep green.
The creamy-white tubular flowers are borne on panicles during early summer.
Hardy zone 9 in partial shade on moist soil. It is tolerant of coastal wind and salt spray but not drought.

Escallonia 'Lou Ann'
A slow growing, low hedging form, reaches only up to 2 x 3 feet in size. The mid-pink flowers are borne abundantly during early summer then sporadically until late autumn.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil. Drought tolerant.

Escallonia 'Newport Dwarf'
A fast growing, dense, compact, domed shrub, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 5 feet. It makes a great foundation plant or low hedge.
The oval leaves are bright green at first, turning to glossy deep green.
The showy flowers are red in bud, opening to deep pink. The flowers appear during early summer, however it may bloom sporadically during the remainder of summer and fall.
Hardy zones 8 to 10. Salt tolerant.

Escallonia 'Peach Blossom'
A handsome, fast growing shrub, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 9 feet.
The leaves, up to 1.5 inches in length, are glossy deep green.
The pale pink flowers are borne on short, terminal racemes.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Escallonia 'Pride of Donard'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 5 x 6 feet or slightly more.
Glossy deep green foliage.
The bright rosy-pink flowers are borne on terminal racemes during most of the year in mild climates.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Escallonia pulverulenta
A fast growing, evergreen, large shrub to small tree, reaching a maximum height of 40 ( rarely over 15 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 16 inches; that is native to central Chile. It is very attractive and make a great windbreak or screen for coastal areas. The finely-toothed leaves, up to 4 x 1.5 inches in size, are bright green at first, turning to glossy mid-green.
The showy, white flowers are borne on dense, cylindrical panicles up to 8 inches in length.
Hardy zones 9 to 10 in full sun on well drained soil. It requires a mediterranean climate with a yearly average rainfall between 16 and 32 inches. It is very tolerant of coastal wind and salt spray and should make an ideal landscape plant in coastal parts of much of California.

Escallonia revoluta
An evergreen large shrub to small tree, reaching up to 30 feet, that is native to Chile. Some records include: largest on record - 43 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.4 feet.
The leaves, up to 2 x 1.3 inches in size, are softly gray-felted.
The twigs are also gray felted.
The white to pale pink flowers are borne on terminal panicles, up to 3 inches in length, from late summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Escallonia rubra ( Red Escallonia )
A very fast growing, evergreen, large shrub, reaching up to 20 feet, that is native to Chile. Some records include: 4 years - 7 feet; largest on record - 27 feet with a trunk diameter of 7 inches.
The aromatic leaves, up to 3 x 1 inches in size, are glossy very deep green. The deep rosy-red flowers are borne on loose panicles, up to 4 inches in length, during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in full sun on just about any well drained soil. It requires a maritime climate and thrives on coastal sites next to the ocean.

'C.F. Ball'
Originated in Scotland as a seedling of Escallonia rubra var macrantha. It is very vigorous yet compact and dense, reaching a maximum size of 10 x 10 feet.
The aromatic, large leaves are up to 2.5 inches in length.
The flowers are deep red.

'Crimson Spire'
Upright habit with bright red flowers.

var macrantha
Vigorous but compact, reaching up to 12 feet. It is great for hedging.
The aromatic leaves, up to 3.3 x 2 inches in size, are glossy deep green.

Escallonia virgata
An arching, medium-sized, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 12 x 12 feet, that is native to southern Chile, often at high elevations. It requires permanently moist to wet soil and is often found in bogs and along waters edge in the wild.
The obovate leaves, up to 1 x 0.3 inches in size, are bright green, later turning to glossy deep green.
The white flowers are borne on axilliary racemes during early summer.
The trunks and branches are reddish.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 ( tolerating 0 F at Kew Gardens in England with no protection ) in full sun on acidic, well drained soil.