Friday, 12 March 2010 14:44
Question:
What is a good replacement for Escallonia compacta?
Answer:
We have gotten lots of questions this spring about replacing Escallonia because of the damage they sustained over the winter when it got down to 7 degrees. The Escallonia compacta is used a lot in the Rogue Valley because of its relatively short height, formal look and ease of maintenance. Here is a list of plants that would stay in that 2-3 foot tall and wide range with some being a bit shorter; but that way don't need any pruning.
Formal look:
Hebe species- such as buxifolia, carnosula, topiaria- many of these are just as cold hardy as the Escallonia and keep a tight, formal appearance- see http://www.tandlnursery.com/cat.cfm for pictures and info.
Prunus 'Otto Luyken'- This smaller Laurel can be kept pruned to 3' tall and wide and is cold and heat hardy.
Ilex crenata 'Helleri'- Dwarf form of Japanese Holly- only gets 1-2' tall and wide, looks nice all year and is hardy in shade or sun
Myrtus communis compacta or 'Tarentina'- Dwarf Myrtle- lovely little leafed evergreen with starry white flowers, we have one customer who swears it is quite hardy in Ashland, will take full sun and be a tight edging shrub, 2-3' tall and wide
Pieris 'Cavatine', 'Prelude', and 'Little Heath'- these are all dwarf forms of Andromeda or Lily of the Valley shrub that will stay compact and do well in shade or morning sun.
Informal look:
Euphorbia varieties- we love these plants for full sun with a few species tolerating half a day of sun, great chartreuse flowers in spring and evergreen foliage in blue or burgundy tones. Most will stay 18-36" tall and wide. See the latest varieties at the nursery.
Teucrium chamaedrys- Creeping Germander, Tough, drought tolerant and deer resistant qualities make this a good choice in a hot spot. It doesn't take any more maintenance than a compact escallonia- just shear off the mauve flowers after bloom and it will be a nice tight mound of evergreen leaves. Can get 12" tall and about 18"-24" wide
Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve'- Purple Wallflower- we see this all over Jacksonville untouched by the deer, it is long blooming with spikes of mauve-purple flowers and has evergreen leaves, just shear back after bloom to make it look tidy. Can get up to two feet with blooms and at least 2' wide.
Helianthemum 'Dazzler'- Sunrose- evergreen mounded groundcover with magenta blooms and a yellow center. Can get 12-18" tall and 18" wide. Is sun and drought tolerant and low maintenance.
