Marianne's Response

Reasons for why an Escallonia hedge suddenly died

Help please! We have (had!) a beautiful escallonia hedge growing between our driveway and the neighbor’s. There were approx. 10 plants I believe this is their 3rd year and they were thriving, getting so large and bushy they needed trimming last summer. At some point in the past few months, they ALL died. We’re not sure when it happened, but suddenly noticed the other day that they are as dead as a doornail. They are other plants nearby (a camilia, some euyonomous, hydrangea) that seem unaffected. What could possibly have killed off all those escallonia? Thanks for any help! Denise

Posted by Denise Tholl on April 15, 2014

Marianne's Response

My sympathies at your loss - I also lost an Escallonia some 20 years ago and since than have learned that they freeze to death if we have a winter with warm, then very cold weather - just like the winter of 2014. This is a very tender shrub. Instead you might want to consider a hardy yew, juniper, or abelia hedge. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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