Escallonia rubra macrantha is a species of flowering plant in the family Escalloniaceae. It is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. The plant grows to 35 m (9.816.4 ft) tall and has elliptical to lanceolate leaves with toothed margins. The flowers are borne in inflorescences of 37 flowers, each flower measuring 23 cm (0.791.18 in) wide. The petals are pink or red, and the stamens are white. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous seeds.
Related plant:
Escallonia Donard Seedling
Related plant:
Escallonia Macrantha
About soil condition, Escallonia Rubra Macrantha prefers well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. It also like full sun to partial sun, and can tolerate some drought once established. This plant is also salt spray tolerant.
So, like the other Escallonia species, Escallonia rubra macrantha requires full sun to partial sun to maintain its compact growth habit. It thrives in average to fertile, well-drained soils and is drought tolerant once established. This tough shrub is also salt spray tolerant, making it a good choice for coastal planting sites.
The temperature conditions that are ideal for planting Escallonia rubra macrantha are between 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This shrub prefers full sun if possible, but can tolerate partial shade if necessary. It is important to make sure that the soil is well-drained before planting this shrub, as it does not do well in wet or boggy conditions. Once established, this shrub is quite drought tolerant and does not require a lot of water.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. However, it can survive in lower or higher humidity conditions. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.
For the fertilizer, this type of plant requires very little. A small amount of manure or compost is all that is needed to keep it healthy. For the roots, they should be kept moist but not waterlogged. If the roots become waterlogged, they will rot and the plant will die.
Pruning is an important part of caring for your Escallonia rubra macrantha. By pruning regularly, you will encourage new growth and keep your plant healthy. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or dying branches. It is also a good idea to prune away any branch that is growing in an undesirable direction.
Propagation of Escallonia rubra macrantha is typically done through rooting of softwood cuttings taken from the tips of new growth. Cuttings should be taken in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and should have at least 2 or 3 sets of leaves. Cuttings should be placed in a well-drained rooting medium and kept moist until roots have formed. Once roots have formed, the plant can be transplanted into a pot or into the ground.
Usually, the plant growth rate is between 1 and 2 feet per year, with some reports of up to 3 feet per year. The plant typically grows in full sun or partial shade and in well-drained soil. It is a good choice for hedges and screens, as it can be pruned to shape.
Common problems for this kind of plant , or the Crimson Fire Chilean Escallonia, are leaf spot, rust, and scale. Leaf spot is a fungal disease that can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off. Rust is another fungal disease that can cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Scale is a type of insect that can infest the leaves and cause them to turn yellow and fall off.
Source:
Escallonia rubra var. macrantha: info from PIER (PIER species info)
Escallonia rubra (Red Claws) - American University of Beirut
SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide - selectree.calpoly.edu
