Escallonia rubra aka Redclaws

Taxonomy

The Escallonia rubra, also known as redclaws and red escallonia, is a spreading shrub that belongs to the family Escalloniaceae. It is native to southern Chile and neighboring areas of Argentina but has been cultivated as a garden and hedging plant and has become naturalized in other countries. The plant usually grows up to 1.5 meters tall, with glossy, serrate evergreen leaves. The pink to crimson trumpet-shaped flowers bloom from July to October in the Northern Hemisphere, and the hypanthia are maroon to red with acute apices, giving it the common name redclaws. The Escallonia rubra is highly variable, possibly due to the merging through hybridization of several once-independent species. It is one of about 50 species of shrubs and small trees in the Escallonia family, and it grows mostly in coastal states. The plant is not well suited to inland summer heat and humidity. The summer flowers have a combination of white and red to rose-red coloring, and the shrub has a rounded shape.

Common names

Redclaws, Red Flowering Escallonia, Red Escallonia, Escallonia

How to care for Redclaws

Difficulty

Redclaws requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Redclaws should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Redclaws loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Redclaws requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Redclaws will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Region of origin

Redclaws’s native range is S. America. - Argentina, Chile.


More info:
Wikipedia