Escallonia bifida, commonly known as Cloven Gum Box, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the coastal forests and montane regions of Brazil and Uruguay. It typically grows up to 4 meters (13 feet) in height and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in width. The plant features glossy, dark green leaves that are 2 to 7 centimeters long and 0.8 to 2 centimeters wide. During the summer, it produces clusters of pure white flowers that are initially tubular before spreading open, adding ornamental value to the garden with their showy display.

Cloven Gum Box is valued for its dense growth habit, making it an excellent choice for tall hedging in mild coastal regions. It is also suitable for urban planting and border planting due to its attractive foliage and flowers. The plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its performance in gardens. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium drainage. While it is hardy down to −5 °C (23 °F), in colder regions, it benefits from the protection of a wall or other sheltered position to prevent frost damage.CC BY-SA 4.0