A glossy-leaved evergreen covered in dainty pink-and-white apple-blossom flowers through the warmer months. Wind- and salt-tolerant, it makes an excellent flowering coastal hedge.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 2.5 m H × 2 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Escallonia
Escallonia 'Apple Blossom' is a fast-growing shrub in the Escalloniaceae family. It reaches around 2.5 m tall and 2 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Pink and white flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Escallonia
Escallonia suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds.
Soil & planting
Escallonia does best in free-draining, loamy and sandy soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 1.2 m apart.
Watering & feeding
Escallonia is happy on low water, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. A feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser keeps growth strong. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Escallonia after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Escallonia in the garden
Escallonia earns its place for a fast screen or informal hedge, a windbreak, feeding bees and pollinators and drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Escallonia with other plants that enjoy the same happy on low water and warm-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden.
Buying Escallonia
Plant Sale lists Escallonia as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment we have it ready.