Escallonia 'Iveyi'

White Escallonia

Botanical Name: Escallonia ‘Iveyi’
Family: Escalloniaceae
Origin: South America (hybrid cultivar selected in the UK; parentage within South American species)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

Escallonia ‘Iveyi’ is a standout coastal hedging and feature shrub for South Australian gardens. It carries glossy, dark green leaves (often bronze-tinged in cold weather) and bears large, fragrant panicles of pure white flowers from mid/late spring through summer, ideal for scent and pollinators. Thrives in sunny, well-drained sites; excellent for neat screens and formal borders.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 2–3 m H × 1.5–2 m W in SA gardens
• Growth Rate: 30-50 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, evergreen; tidy, clip-responsive habit (new growth lime; bronze in cold)
• Flowers: Fragrant, pure white in conical panicles; abundant in the warm months
  
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round evergreen structure; peak flowering late spring–summer (often into early autumn)
• Wildlife Value: Bee-friendly; flowers attract pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, second-line coastal-tolerant; frost hardy (protect from severe inland frost); clay-tolerant with improved drainage
• Planting Density: Hedges/screens: 1 plant per metre (dense) or 1 per 1.5 m for a looser effect
• Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic; as with any plant, ingestion may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (heaviest flowering in sun)
• Soil: Well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sand; pH acid, neutral or alkaline; avoid waterlogging
• 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 and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Acid, Neutral, Alkaline — broadly adaptable with drainage

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Privacy screening and boundary hedges with a refined, uniform finish
• Mass plant for cohesive, low-maintenance structure and long seasonal colour
• Feature near entries, paths and outdoor living spaces; suitable for large pots

Why You Will Love It

A high-impact, low-fuss evergreen: glossy foliage, fragrant white blooms, great coastal and wind tolerance, and reliable drought performance once established — a proven hedging classic for SA gardens.