Escallonia rubra
Evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and small tubular pink flowers grouped in panicles. Very wind-resistant and suitable for mixed borders.
Escallonia is a robust, easy-to-grow shrub that needs an outdoor position with at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day; it is hardy down to -10 °C, so it withstands cold winters without special protection. Water with moderate frequency, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and plant it in well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging. Ideal as a hedge or windbreak, it should be lightly pruned after its summer or autumn flowering to maintain a compact shape between 1.5 and 3 metres tall.