Escallonia rubra var. macrantha
Chilean gum box
A large, evergreen shrub to about 5m with small, glossy, dark green leaves. Loose clusters of tubular, pink to dark reddish-pink flowers appear from mid-summer to autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 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 the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to escallonia leaf spot and honey fungus
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