Introducing...
Photinia
Common name: Christmas berry, red robin
Photinias are ornamental shrubs or trees with small white flowers, red berries and often colourful leaves in spring/summer or autumn. The best known is evergreen Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’, which has striking red young foliage and is widely grown as a specimen shrub or hedge.
Looks
Photinias are shrubs or small trees. Evergreen types may have vibrant red young foliage, while the leaves of deciduous types may turn red in autumn before falling. They produce clusters of small white flowers, followed by red berries.
Likes
Give photinias a warm, sheltered spot, in sun or partial shade. They like fertile, well-drained soil that doesn’t get waterlogged or become very dry. Some species need neutral or acid soil.
Dislikes
Most photinias dislike windy, cold and damp conditions during winter, and late frosts can damage young spring foliage. Some species can’t tolerate chalky/alkaline soil. Avoid planting in very shady locations.
Did you know?
Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is the most popular cultivar and has ruby-red young foliage in spring and early summer. You can prolong this display by lightly pruning established shrubs when the initial colour starts to fade, which encourages a new flush of red shoots that can keep their vibrancy all summer.
Growing guide
How to grow photinias
All the information you’ll need to grow and care for photinias in your garden.
Photinia we recommend
Photinia serratifolia Pink Crispy ('Oploo5'PBR)
Chinese hawthorn [Pink Crispy]
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Photinia davidiana 'Palette' (v)
stranvaesia 'Palette'
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Photinia serratifolia Pink Crispy ('Oploo5'PBR)
Chinese hawthorn [Pink Crispy]
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Photinia davidiana 'Palette' (v)
stranvaesia 'Palette'
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Useful advice
Hedges: selection
Shrubs: pruning early-flowering
Trees and shrubs: colourful foliage
Trees and shrubs: planting
Get involved
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