Escallonia virgata Apple Blossom

If Escallonia 'Apple Blossom' is not more widely planted in gardens, it is probably due to its mediocre hardiness, around -10 °C (14 °F). And that is its only flaw. Very ornamental and truly undemanding in terms of soil and water, this evergreen shrub displays its beautifully rounded, very well-groomed silhouette, and is adorned throughout the summer, without interruption, with a multitude of charming little pink and white flowers, clustered among its tough, dark green foliage. Widely used as a hedge by the seaside, this shrub is also a boon for dry gardens, too often deprived of flowers in summer.

Escallonia Apple Blossom is a horticultural creation born in Northern Ireland, from the cross-breeding of E. virgata and E. rubra var. macrantha, two species native to South America, particularly Chile and Argentina.

The 'Apple Blossom' variety forms a ramified bush with a bushy and rounded habit, of medium growth, which will reach about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in height at maturity and 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in width. Its small leaves, 2.5 cm (1 in) long, are tough, alternate, ovate, with dentate edges and of a shiny dark green colour. They are densely arranged, a little stiff, along almost the entire length of the branches. Flowering takes place from June-July to September, more or less early depending on the climate, without interruption. At the end of each branching, a cluster of 3 to 10 cm (1.2 to 3.9 in) is born, composed of small five-petaled flowers, in the shape of tender pink and white bells, enclosed at the base in a red calyx.

Escallonia Apple Blossom, an excellent shrub for contrasting and enhancing white or pink roses, only fears icy winds and cold winters. It is not afraid of heat, dry summers once established, or limestone soils, and manages to flower even in hot or shaded situations. It is useful in seaside gardens, as its flowering, just like that of Olearias, brightens up the grey foliage of Atriplex, Bupleurum fruticosum, or Correa alba rosea for example. In a large flower bed, it can be combined with cistus, lavender, Hebe or with spring-flowering shrubs such as lilacs, Kolkwitzia amabilis or deutzias.