Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Escalloniaceae
Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ is an evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green leaves are elliptic with serrate margins, up to 3cm long and 15mm broad. Its red flowers are tubular and appear as compact racemes.
The species Escallonia rubra, commonly known as Escallonia, is native to Chile. Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ is synonymous with Escallonia ‘Crimson Spire’.
The etymological root of the binomial name Escallonia is named after Antonio Escallón y Flórez (1739-1819) a collector of plants in South America. Rubra is from the Latin meaning ‘red’.
The landscape architect may find Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ useful as a late flowering evergreen shrub. It may be used as a formal or informal hedge. This shrub is tolerant of maritime conditions.
Ecologically, Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ Flower (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.
Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ requires little maintenance. If necessary, pruning should be carried out after flowering or early spring.
