shrub

Redclaws

The Story

Plant Bio

Escallonia rubra, known as redclaws, is a dense, upright evergreen shrub native to South America that reaches ten to fifteen feet in height and width. The glossy, dark green leaves are finely toothed with resinous glands on their undersides, carried on reddish stems that emerge green.

The tubular red, pink, or crimson flowers are held in short terminal clusters by sticky, reddish-purple glandular calyces from summer through early fall. These nectar-rich blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies along coastal regions.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, glossy evergreen screen with a long-lasting display of red or pink tubular flowers.

Highly tolerant of maritime exposure, making it an excellent windbreak or screen in coastal gardens.

Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies with its nectar-rich summer blooms.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

118"

Width

118"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Low to moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

South America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late spring – Autumn

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with full sun to light afternoon shade and excellent drainage.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant at the same depth as its nursery container.
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil, then maintain regular moisture until established.
Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture, keeping it clear of the main stems.

Pro Tip

Avoid shearing this shrub into formal geometric shapes; cutting back into old, leafless wood causes dieback because the bare stems fail to resprout.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly immediately after the summer flowering period to shape the shrub.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root rot.
Apply a light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring.

Don't

Do not prune deeply into old, bare wood as it will not regenerate.
Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged soils or areas with standing water.
Do not plant in inland regions with extreme summer heat and high humidity.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Informal flowering screenCoastal windbreakHedgeMixed shrub border

Companion Plants

Ribes sanguineum Ceanothus Salvia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Redclaws questions

What zones can Redclaws grow in?

Redclaws is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Redclaws deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Redclaws, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Redclaws bloom?

Redclaws typically blooms in late spring through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Redclaws need full sun?

Redclaws does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Redclaws drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Redclaws handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.