Escallonia

The genus Escallonia includes more than 60 species of deciduous and mostly evergreen shrubs and trees. The leaves are regular lanceolate toothed or whole-edged, in some species glandular, more or less dark green in color, sometimes glossy. The flowers are small white, red or pink, collected in apical or axillary panicles or racemes, rarely single or paired. The fruit is a multi-seeded box. Red escallonia (Escallonia rubra) is a sprawling shrub up to 2 m high with reddish twigs and bright green, pointed at the top, bare leaves that emit a fragrance if rubbed. The flowers are red tubular and fragrant; they bloom in June-July, collected in apical panicles. It grows extremely fast. Large-flowered Escallonia (E. macrantha) is a lush shrub up to 4 m tall with large fragrant leaves and scarlet - pink flowers blooming from April to September. It is particularly resistant to the sea wind and is very suitable for growing in hedges. One of the many hybrids - 'Dwarf' ('Forest land'), 30-60 cm high, very suitable for rock gardens. Escallonia rod-shaped (E. virgata) is a deciduous species with a height of 1.5-2 m, with ovate, finely toothed leaves and small white flowers blooming in June and July, collected in short brushes. Many hybrids with flowers of various colors have been obtained from the species, in which it is not always possible to recognize kinship with a botanical species. For example, Crimson's Spiral is an erect, lush shrub with glossy dark green leaves and bright crimson-red flowers, especially suitable for hedges; 'Peach blossom' - a shrub up to 1.5-2.0 m in height with light pink flowers. with flowers; 'Gwendoline Enly' is a small, very resistant shrub derived from a botanical species, with small leaves and slightly pink flowers. Escallonia profusely flowering (E. floribunda) - a shrub up to 3 m tall, blooms white, in multi-flowered panicles flowers, in the summer-autumn period, in some years blooms twice.

The genus Escallonia includes more than 60 species of deciduous and mostly evergreen shrubs and trees. The leaves are regular lanceolate toothed or whole-edged, in some species glandular, more or less dark green in color, sometimes glossy. The flowers are small white, red or pink, collected in apical or axillary panicles or racemes, rarely single or paired. The fruit is a multi-seeded box.

Red escallonia (Escallonia rubra) is a sprawling shrub up to 2 m high with reddish twigs and bright green, pointed at the top, bare leaves that emit a fragrance if rubbed. The flowers are red tubular and fragrant; they bloom in June-July, collected in apical panicles. It grows extremely fast.

Large-flowered Escallonia (E. macrantha) is a lush shrub up to 4 m tall with large fragrant leaves and scarlet - pink flowers blooming from April to September. It is particularly resistant to the sea wind and is very suitable for growing in hedges. One of the many hybrids - 'Dwarf' ('Forest land'), 30-60 cm high, very suitable for rock gardens.

Escallonia rod-shaped (E. virgata) is a deciduous species with a height of 1.5-2 m, with ovate, finely toothed leaves and small white flowers blooming in June and July, collected in short brushes. Many hybrids with flowers of various colors have been obtained from the species, in which it is not always possible to recognize kinship with a botanical species. For example, Crimson's Spiral is an erect, lush shrub with glossy dark green leaves and bright crimson-red flowers, especially suitable for hedges; 'Peach blossom' - a shrub up to 1.5-2.0 m in height with light pink flowers. with flowers; 'Gwendoline Enly' is a small, very resistant shrub derived from a botanical species, with small leaves and slightly pink flowers.

Escallonia profusely flowering (E. floribunda) - a shrub up to 3 m tall, blooms white, in multi-flowered panicles flowers, in the summer-autumn period, in some years blooms twice.

Cultivation

Escallonia is grown in the open ground in small group plantings, borders and hedges. They are bred as beautifully flowering plants with decorative foliage. It is better to grow outdoors in areas with mild climates, and in a sheltered place-in temperate climates with cold winters. Some varieties and hybrids (E. rubra 'Dwarf') are suitable for rock gardens. Planted in the ground for a permanent place in autumn or spring (in dense moist ground). They have no special requirements for the soil, as long as it is well drained; they tolerate calcareous soils. Plants are planted in hedges at a distance of about 50 cm from each other. For better branching, light pinching of the shoots is recommended. Usually, frequent pruning is not required; prune after flowering only to shape the hedge and reduce the size of the plant.

Location

They grow well in open sunny areas.

Temperature

These plants can easily withstand high air temperatures and are sensitive to low ones.

Watering

It's never really necessary.

Reproduction

In August-September, semi-woody cuttings about 10 cm long are taken and planted in a mixture of peat and sand, where a complex fertilizer is added at the rate of 10 g per bucket of soil. Keep in a cool place. After the roots are formed, the seedlings are placed one at a time in pots and taken out into the open air in the spring. Planting finally in the ground is carried out next spring.

Diseases

The leaves may become metallic in color. This is a disease caused by Stereum purpureum. It is necessary to remove the affected parts, but if the damage is serious, remove the entire plant as a whole.

Acquisition

Escallonia is easily found in horticultural centers and specialized nurseries, especially in areas with mild climates. Choose healthy and well-formed plants.