Planting, growing and caring for Chinese lantern

Presentation of escallonia

What is the ideal light and exposure for escallonia?

For growing in open ground, the preferred locations for escallonia are regions with a mild climate and coastal areas. However, you should choose your location carefully, because it must meet certain criteria:

• be protected from dry winds and cold winds ;
• be sunny, because its flowering will then be more generous and even more beautiful. If you live in a region with a warm climate, however, escallonia can tolerate a location in partial shade.

You can, for example, install your escallonia in a location facing south or west, and sheltered by a wall. If you live in a coastal region, it is interesting to know that it can withstand sea spray.

What is the ideal temperature for escallonia?

From its South American origins, this very decorative shrub has retained a certain chilliness and, as a result, prefers heat. Escallonia is generally not very hardy, since it cannot withstand temperatures below -5 or -10°C depending on the species. However, some cultivars like Escallonia ‘Donard Seedling’ can withstand temperatures up to -15°C.

So, if you want to grow your escallonia in the ground, you must make sure to choose one whose hardiness is adapted to the region in which you live. Otherwise, you have the option of growing it in a pot to shelter it before the first frost.

Ideal atmospheric humidity

The escallonia fears too dry atmospheres.

Watering the escallonia

Even though it is South American, the escallonia fears drought, especially during the first 3 years of its life.

• If you grow it in open ground : it must be watered regularly during the first summers so that it never lacks water and can take root well. It can withstand occasionally dry conditions in open ground.
• If you grow it in a pot : it will have to be watered more often since the substrate tends to dry out more quickly. Be careful, although it can withstand temporary drought in the ground, it cannot when grown in a pot.

Good to know : In all cases, to keep the soil fresh, it is possible to use mulching.

What types of soil and fertilizer for escallonia?

Earth

Escallonia does not tolerate soils that are too calcareous or heavy. To grow well, it needs well-drained soil, preferably fresh. It prefers slightly acidic or neutral soils.

For growing escallonia in pots, the ideal substrate is shrub compost enriched with a little well-ripened compost.

Fertilizer

• In the open ground : If the soil in your garden is rather poor, it will be necessary to add organic fertilizer in spring in order to encourage the growth of your escallonia and benefit from beautiful flowering. A good solution is to install organic mulch at the base of the plant: you will benefit from good fertilization while protecting the roots from heat and cold. Add to this that this solution is economical since you will not have to add anything else. You will just need to renew your mulch from time to time.
• Pot : In spring, add organic fertilizer, such as crushed horn or shrub fertilizer. If your shrub is having trouble growing, don’t hesitate to do it twice a year.

Planting escallonia and repotting

In the open ground

• Rehydrate the root ball by soaking it in a container filled with water while you prepare the hole.
• Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball. If you plan to plant an escallonia hedge, space the plants about 80 cm apart from each other.
• If necessary, add sand if the soil is heavy, potting soil if the soil is poor, etc.
• Install the root ball in the hole, taking care not to bury the collar.
• Fill the hole, then pack it down.
• Carry out copious watering.
• Add organic mulch at the base of the plant.

Pot

• Choose a terracotta pot, preferably large enough and pierced at the bottom to ensure water drainage.
• Install a layer of non-calcareous gravel or clay balls at the bottom of the pot.
• Install the plant.
• Fill with quality potting soil.
• Mulch the base.

It will then be necessary to repot your shrub every 2 to 3 years. In addition to offering it more space, this will also be an opportunity to renew its substrate and allow it to always benefit from a sufficient supply of nutrients.

How to propagate escallonia?

It is possible to propagate escallonia by taking cuttings. To do this :

• In June, cut a terminal stem of about fifteen centimeters below a node, ensuring that there are no flowers or buds.
• Remove the bottom leaves.
• Plant the stem in a pot filled with a light substrate.
• Store your cutting in the shade, but warm, making sure to maintain good humidity.

How to prune escallonia?

To the end of flowering or end of winter, it is possible to prune your shrub. During the first years, this operation will allow the branches to branch, which will allow you to obtain a shrub with a more compact shape. Subsequently, it can be trimmed to obtain a more orderly and balanced result.

Maintenance of the escallonia

It is a plant that only requires low maintenance. However, it will be necessary to take care to protect it in winter. If you live in an area where winters are harsh, be sure to install a thick layer of mulch to protect the base of the plant. So, if the branch freezes, it can start again from the stump. It is also possible to use a winter veil. In a pot, you can more easily install your plant under cover.

Species and varieties of the Escallonia genus: there are a large number of them

In the Escallonia genus, there are 147 species of shrubs including:

• Escallonia angustifolia;
• Escallonia rubra;
• Escallonia floribunda;
• Escallonia myrtilloides;
• Escallonia revoluta;
• Escallonia virgata;
• etc…

Many hybrids have been created mainly from escallonia rubra, such as escallonia rubra ‘Donard Radiance’, escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’, etc. They differ by their size, their habit which can be bushy or creeping, their flowering, etc. In addition, certain cultivars have the advantage of being more hardy.

The 5 points to remember about escallonia

• This very beautiful ornamental shrub with evergreen foliage and beautiful flowering will delight you all year round.
• As it is more or less hardy depending on the species, it will be necessary to choose yours carefully according to your region.
• For a beautiful shrub, it is essential to choose the location carefully so that it is protected from wind and cold while enjoying good sunshine.
• It is a robust shrub that is resistant to diseases and pests.
• It has many advantages including its ease of maintenance and rapid growth.