My Escallonia Hedge Looks Dead

Escallonia (Escallonia spp.) are fast-growing evergreens with glossy, deep green, fragrant leaves and clusters of pink, red or white flowers that often bloom all year long in milder climates. Varieties include white escallonia (Escallonia bifida) and red escallonia (Escallonia rubra var. macrantha), both of which thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 and 9. Sometimes called redclaws, these upright, compact shrubs work well as showy hedges, but occasionally suffer insect or disease problems that make them look dead.

Escallonia Pests

The Chinese wax scale is one of the few pests that bother escallonia hedges. Adult female scales, which resemble little bumps on the twigs rather than actual insects, lay eggs that hatch into tiny crawlers that quickly settle into their lifelong feeding spots. All scale stages feed by sucking sap from the plant tissue. Heavy scale populations can cause escallonia leaves to yellow, wilt, curl and fall from the hedge prematurely. Scales occasionally suck enough sap to weaken the hedge and cause stunted plant growth. If the foliage dies rapidly, the brown, dead leaves might remain on the branches, which makes your plant look scorched. Although the affects of scale infestations might look unsightly, the pests don't usually threaten the escallonia's health.

Controlling Scales

Pruning out heavily infested foliage helps eliminate scale populations if the pests infest just a small area on the plant. Thinning the interiors can also help kill off scale insects by exposing them to sunlight and higher temperatures. Spraying your escallonia with a horticultural oil can control severe scale infestations, but you must time the treatment for immediately after the eggs hatch in spring or early summer for optimal results. One horticultural oil product recommends mixing 5 tablespoons of oil for each gallon of water in a handheld garden sprayer, but follow label instructions carefully since directions do vary. Thoroughly cover the twigs, trunk and tops and undersides of leaves. Spray your hedge when no fog or rain is predicted within the next 24 hours.

Staying Safe

Although nontoxic to people and pets, horticultural oils can still cause eye irritation. Wear goggles, along with long sleeves, a face mask, waterproof gloves, long pants and closed-toe shoes to protect yourself from chemical exposure. Oils can also be toxic to honeybees, so spray your plant in the early morning or late evening when the beneficial insects aren't out pollinating.

Escallonia Diseases

Oak root fungus (Armillaria mellea), also called armillaria root rot and shoestring disease, attacks various plants, including white and red escallonia hedges. Infection occurs through root contact with other infected plants. The fungus first infects and then kills the cambial tissue, which causes the main roots and the lowest part of the trunk to die. Aboveground signs include discolored, stunted and prematurely falling leaves, as well as dying branches. Escallonia dieback, a disease of unidentified origins, can also afflict these hedges, causing wilted, yellowed or browned foliage and killing branches.

Disease Prevention

According to the University of California, no known cure for escallonia dieback or oak root fungus exists, as of January 2014. Reduce the risk of diseases by placing your hedge in a location with good drainage and plenty of sun. Escallonia hedges thrive in fully sunny areas, but appreciate some shade on very hot summer afternoons. They tolerate various soil conditions, but are more vulnerable to damage if placed in soils with high alkalinity.

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