Escallonia

Escallonia (Escallonia rubra) is a dense, scented evergreen shrub that makes a tall hedge or windbreak in places where plenty of other plants struggle. Left unclipped it reaches 3m to 5m, with clusters of small red-pink flowers over neat evergreen foliage. It is a classic for seaside, rooftop and other tough, exposed gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Genuinely tough. Drought, wind and frost tolerant, and it grows in most conditions.
• A scented, flowering hedge. The shrub is scented, and clusters of tiny deep pink-red flowers also draw bees and butterflies.
• Built for the coast. A long-standing choice for seaside gardens, where salty wind burns many other hedges.
• Prune to any size. Clip it as a formal hedge, or leave it to 3m to 5m for a windbreak or privacy screen.
• Evergreen all year. The neat foliage keeps the screen working through winter.

Where it works best

Hedging. Plant 70cm to 80cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the plants knit into a continuous hedge, and a regular clip after flowering keeps it neat.

Windbreaks and privacy screens. Plant at the same spacing and leave it unclipped to build height. At 3m to 5m it filters wind and blocks a view.

Coastal and rooftop gardens. Seaside, rooftop and other exposed spots suit it, where wind and salty air defeat many other hedges.

Growing Escallonia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, in an open site. It thrives in most conditions and is drought and frost tolerant, so it suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, and coastal sites. It prefers dry rather than humid conditions, so it is less reliable in the humid tropics and subtropics.

Soil. A free-draining soil enriched with organic matter suits it. Set plants 70cm to 80cm apart for a hedge, dig in compost before planting, and mulch afterwards.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well until established. Feed with a controlled release fertiliser twice a year to keep growth strong and dense.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to encourage new growth and flowering. Clip a formal hedge lightly and often, rather than rarely and hard.

What to expect when it arrives

Escallonia is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are the economical way to plant a long hedge, since you need a plant every 70cm to 80cm. Expect small plants that need a couple of seasons to close up, with a first light clip to encourage branching.

The tubes come from our grower, who does not always have them. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is available again.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Hedging and screening plants
• The best hedging plants
• Plants for windbreaks
• How to create a great hedge and keep it sharp

Common questions

How far apart should I plant escallonia for a hedge?

Plant 70cm to 80cm apart in a single row, in free-draining soil rich in organic matter. Going much closer crowds the bases and thins the hedge from the bottom.

How tall will it grow if I do not clip it?

Unclipped, it reaches 3m to 5m, which suits windbreaks and privacy screens. Clipped after flowering, it stays as tall or as low as you like.

Does it suit humid climates?

It prefers dry rather than humid conditions, so it is a better choice for southern, Mediterranean and coastal gardens than for the humid tropics.