Escallonia


Escallonia is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Escalloniaceae. They are native to North and South America.

Taxonomy

Currently valid species in Escallonia are:Escallonia alpinaEscallonia angustifolia Escallonia bifidaEscallonia callcottiaeEscallonia chlorophyllaEscallonia cordobensisEscallonia discolor Escallonia farinacea Escallonia florida Escallonia gayana Escallonia herrerae Escallonia hispidaEscallonia hypoglaucaEscallonia illinitaEscallonia laevisEscallonia ledifoliaEscallonia leucanthaEscallonia megapotamicaEscallonia micranthaEscallonia millegrana Escallonia myrtilloides Escallonia myrtoidea Escallonia obtusissimaEscallonia paniculataEscallonia pendula Escallonia petrophilaEscallonia piurensisEscallonia polifolia Escallonia pulverulenta Escallonia resinosaEscallonia reticulata Escallonia revoluta Escallonia rosea Escallonia rubraEscallonia salicifoliaEscallonia schreiteriEscallonia serrataEscallonia tucumanensis
  • ''Escallonia virgata''

Cultivation

Widely cultivated and commonly used as hedging plants, especially in coastal areas, Escallonias grow about per year, reaching in height, with arching branches of small, oval, glossy green leaves. Flowering from June to October, they have masses of small pink, white or crimson flowers, sometimes with a honey fragrance. They are best grown in full sun with some shelter. Some varieties are not fully hardy in all areas. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:
  • 'Apple Blossom'
  • 'Donard Radiance'
  • 'Iveyi'
  • ' Langleyensis'
  • 'Peach Blossom'
  • 'Pride of Donard'
  • Escallonia bifida
  • Escallonia rubra 'Crimson Spire'