Red escallonia Escallonia rubra
Red escallonia (Escallonia rubra) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Escalloniaceae family, native to Chile and Argentina. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Red escallonia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Red escallonia at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Escalloniaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Chile and Argentina |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇫🇷 France, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Red escallonia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Red escallonia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Red escallonia
- How far apart should I plant Red escallonia?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Red escallonia need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Red escallonia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Red escallonia?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Red escallonia flower?
- From about June for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Red escallonia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Red escallonia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Red escallonia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora Argentina, IBODA-CONICET
Notes and assumptions
- Glossy, aromatic, slightly sticky leaves and red-pink flowers all summer; the classic salt-wind hedge of seaside gardens in Cornwall, Ireland and Brittany (var. macrantha).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris