Escallonia 'Iveyi'

Hi,

I planted some Escallonia 'Iveyi' a few years back and they seem to be growing very well width wise but not so well vertically. They are healthy and just about to produce the flowers.

My theory is that the roots are struggling to grow down and instead are growing horizontally, is that the correct assumption or does it not work like that!

Any advise would be great ...

Thanks,

 

I don't think it's the roots jumanji. I have an Escallonia hedge, sorry, I don't know which one, but I think you'll find top growth is generally slower than width.

 

Put a cane in and "train" [tie] them up the cane?, then they can be "pendulous" (as Escallonia are prone to be, and I assume Iveyii is too? I think that's the evergreen one?)

 

Kristen, I thought all Escallonia's were evergreen?

 

Mostly they are semi evergreen, but my recollection is that Iveyii was properly evergreen. I'll go and get my Bible off the shelf and check ...

 

That didn't help :(

The computer database that I collated information into as my Computer Science A-Level project ... errmmm .... nearly 40 years ago (and which only exists now on music-rule paper!) has Iveyii marked as Evergreen, and most others as Semi evergreen, but my Readers Digest Encyclopaedia describes Iveyii as "slightly tender" which would suggest it might lose its leaves if not in a mild, or sheltered, part of the country. I probably got the info from a Notcutts catalogue in the 70's ... or mis-hole-punched it when making my deck of punched cards!

 

Strange that Kristen. I've just done a quick web search and Eveyi is described as hardy and fully evergreen. I've got the Digest Encyclopaedia as well, I'll go check to see if mine says any different to yours.

 

I think I should shut up - given that I've not grown it!! (actually I think I did when I was 18 or 19, but can't remember how it turned out)

I expect that IoM is pretty mild? so probably safely hardy & evergreen up your way?

 

My Digest, describes Eveyi as moderately frost hardy and evergreen. Escallonia's in general are described as mostly evergreen as well.

The island is pretty mild all year round, but because of that we have to put up with a lot of rain and haven't had a dry summer for three years now. My Escallonia is green all year round but has suffered these last few years because of the weather, they like it dry.

Out of interest what year was your book published, mine was 2003. I went looking for a newer version a couple of years ago, but I believe they've stopped printing it now. It's a good 'quick' reference book I find.

 

You want me to go and get it again? !!!

Being greedy I have two:
1978 (first edition I think; price still in - £16.95 - that was a lot back then ...)

E. x iveyi

Makes a vigorous, rounded shrub, when grown in the open. ... The shrub is slightly tender, but may be grown in the open in mild western areas and as a wall shrub elsewhere.

1985 (price cut out :( ). "Copy" looks to be identical

 

Mine says, 'This fine plant is a strong grower, but only moderately frost hardy and so is best grown against a wall'. It's interesting how the two books differ.

I think I paid about £18 for mine.

 

Apparently £16.95 in 1978 would be £83.06 in todays money
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/...tion-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html

 

Blimey! They're worth hanging onto then Kristen. Especially as they're out of print now.

 

I've had three types of Escallonias (including Iveyi) and they are all evergreen (even up North). The Iveyi and the Laevis and do tend to grow more outward than the Pride of Donard, which has a more upright growth.

I wouldn't recommend having them this far North though because they don't do overly well - all five of mine developed leaf spot due to the soggy conditions. Last winter was very mild so I suspect if we had a very cold winter they may not survive without some sort of protection.