Escallonia is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Escalloniaceae. They are native to North and South America.[1]

Escallonia
Escallonia virgata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Escalloniales
Family: Escalloniaceae
Genus: Escallonia
Mutis ex L.f.
Species

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Taxonomy

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Currently valid species in Escallonia are:[2]

Cultivation

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Widely cultivated and commonly used as hedging plants, especially in coastal areas, Escallonias grow about 30 cm (12 in) per year, reaching 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) in height, with arching branches of small, oval, glossy green leaves. Flowering from June to October (in the Northern Hemisphere), 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.[3] Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[4]

  • 'Apple Blossom'[5] (pink)
  • 'Donard Radiance'[6] (rose red)
  • 'Iveyi'[7] (white)
  • ' Langleyensis'[8] (rose pink)
  • 'Peach Blossom'[9] (pink)
  • 'Pride of Donard'[10] (rose red)
  • Escallonia bifida[11] (white)
  • Escallonia rubra 'Crimson Spire'[12] (crimson)
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References

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  1. ^ The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants, Ed. Christopher Brickell, Dorling Kindersly, London, 1996. ISBN 0751304360. p.419
  2. ^ "Escallonia — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  3. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  4. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 37. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  5. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Apple Blossom'". Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  6. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Donard Radiance'". Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  7. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Iveyi'". Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Escallonia 'Langleyensis'". RHS. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  9. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Peach Blossom'". Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  10. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Pride of Donard'". Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Escallonia bifida". RHS. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Escallonia rubra 'Crimson Spire'". RHS. Retrieved 19 June 2020.