Escallonia Macrantha 'Pink Pixie'

Dwarf Pink Escallonia / Pink Pixie / Dwarf Escallonia

Botanical Name: Escallonia macrantha ‘Pink Pixie’
Family: Escalloniaceae
Origin: Chile (South America)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub (dwarf)

Overview

‘Pink Pixie’ is a compact, glossy coastal hedging/edging shrub ideal for South Australian gardens. It forms dense, rounded mounds of small, dark-green leaves on red-tinted stems, then covers itself in bright pink, bell-shaped flowers from late spring through summer (often into early autumn). Tough, neat and highly salt/wind tolerant — perfect for borders, low hedges and pots.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–0.8 m H × 0.6–0.8 m W (naturally dwarf, clip to size)
• Growth Rate: 30-50 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy, small dark-green leaves; tidy, compact, clip-responsive habit; red stems add contrast
• Flowers: Profuse late spring–summer flushes; great for edging/low hedges
  
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round evergreen structure; peak bloom late spring–summer, with spot colour into early autumn
• Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bees and butterflies
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, second-line coastal-tolerant; frost hardy (moderate); clay-tolerant with improved drainage
• Planting Density: Mass planting: 3–5 plants per m² (tight carpet/edging). Low hedge/edge: 3–4 plants per linear metre for a dense line
• Pet Friendly: Yes — generally regarded as non-toxic to pets; ingestion of any plant may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best flowering and density in sun)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or clay loam
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; tip-prune after flowering (or light clip 2–3×/yr) to keep tight; light feed in early spring
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate & Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Acid, Neutral, Alkaline — broadly adaptable with drainage

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Low formal hedges/edging with a refined finish
• Mass plant for cohesive ground-level structure and months of pink colour
• Neat feature in pots near entries, paths and outdoor living spaces

Why You Will Love It

Fast, reliable and beautifully compact. ‘Pink Pixie’ gives glossy foliage, months of bright pink blooms, and excellent coastal/wind/drought resilience — a high-value, low-effort performer for SA borders and low hedges.