Escallonia

Escallonia
Escallonia virgata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Escalloniales
Family: Escalloniaceae
Genus: Escallonia
Mutis ex L.f.
Species

n See text.

Escallonia is a genus of 40-50 species of flowering plants of the Escalloniaceae family. Mostly evergreen shrubs (rarely small trees), they are native to South America.[1]

Cultivation

Widely cultivated and commonly used as a hedging plant, especially in coastal areas, escallonia grows 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, it has masses of small pink or crimson flowers, with a honey fragrance. It is best grown in full sun with some shelter. Some varieties are not fully hardy in all areas.[2] Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

  • 'Peach Blossom'[6]
  • 'Pride of Donard'[7]
  • 'Crimson Spire'[8]
A flowering Escallonia cultivar dominates the center of this cul-de-sac in Sidney, British Columbia.
A closer view of the cul-de-sac Escallonia shown above.

Selected Species

[9]

  • Escallonia angustifolia
  • Escallonia bifida
  • Escallonia exoniensis
  • Escallonia floribunda
  • Escallonia glutinosa
  • Escallonia herrerae
  • Escallonia illinita
  • Escallonia langleyensis
  • Escallonia leucantha
  • Escallonia macrantha
  • Escallonia myrtilloides
  • Escallonia myrtoidea
  • Escallonia organensis
  • Escallonia paniculata
  • Escallonia pendula
  • Escallonia poasana
  • Escallonia pterocladon
  • Escallonia pulverulenta
  • Escallonia punctata
  • Escallonia resinosa
  • Escallonia revoluta
  • Escallonia rubra
  • Escallonia × stricta
  • Escallonia virgata
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References

  1. ↑ The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants, Ed. Christopher Brickell, Dorling Kindersly, London, 1996. ISBN0751304360. p.419
  2. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Apple Blossom'". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Donard Radiance'". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Iveyi'". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  6. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Peach Blossom'". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  7. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia 'Pride of Donard'". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  8. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Escallonia rubra 'Crimson Spire'". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  9. ↑ Flora Brasiliensis: Escallonia