Care guide.... hmmm, lets see, the one in the yard has survived being chainsawed back down to the ground (from about 6 feet high) 3 years in a row, then hit with round-up 3 or 4 times, never being watered by anything other than mother nature (its in the ground, so thats not saying much) a few more rounds of round-up and/or crossbow without whacking back because it annoyed me, being whacked back a few more times, being clipped as a hedge because it JUST WONT DIE, and OH, can't forget the large pine that landed on it and broke it back down to the base again...
So, basic care should include sun to shade, water, soil, and voila, happy Escallonia...
Oh yeah, if you left any roots, it'll probably grow back so your mother will hardly notice!
Good luck!
Maryjane
aka Weeble
Whistling Fish Pottery