Red Robin photinia

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; the strongest red growth develops in good light. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but benefit from deep watering during prolonged drought.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid waterlogged ground; very alkaline soil may cause yellowing.

Height

10-20 ft (3-6 m) if unpruned

Spread

8-15 ft (2.4-4.5 m) if unpruned

Flowers

Clusters of small creamy-white flowers in late spring to early summer, mainly on plants that are not regularly clipped.

Foliage

Evergreen. Leathery, glossy, finely toothed leaves; new growth is bright red, passing through bronze before becoming dark green.

Growth

Moderate to fast once established.

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.8 ft (0.54 m)

2. After 1 year

   5 ft (1.5 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

4. After 3 years

   12 ft (3.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   15 ft (4.5 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Mildly toxic: may upset a stomach

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply during dry weather for the first two growing seasons; keep water off the leaves where possible.
• Apply a 2-3 in (5-8 cm) mulch in spring, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly with a balanced shrub fertilizer in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor.
• Allow enough space for air to circulate rather than crowding plants into a narrow hedge.
• Remove fallen diseased leaves promptly and keep pruning waste away from grazing animals.

Pruning. Shape in late spring after the main flush of growth, or after flowering if you want flowers, then trim lightly in summer if needed. Avoid autumn pruning, which encourages frost-sensitive shoots; renovate overgrown plants by cutting back selected old stems in spring.

Spring

Plant once the soil is workable, water well, and mulch.

Spring

Remove frost-damaged shoots once new growth shows which wood is alive.

Late spring

Shape hedges after the first flush, or wait until flowers finish.

Summer

Water during prolonged dry spells and check for spotting or premature leaf drop.

Autumn

Clear fallen diseased foliage and avoid pruning or nitrogen feeding.

Winter

Check exposed young plants for wind rock and protect container roots during severe freezes.

• Use as a tall boundary hedge where there is room for its mature width.
• Plant behind mixed borders to provide an evergreen backdrop and red spring contrast.
• Train as a standard or loose specimen in a sheltered courtyard.
• Combine with dark-green evergreens and pale-flowered shrubs for contrast without relying on flowers.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, Traditional, Urban city garden, Modern courtyard, Architectural minimal and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Pittosporum, Viburnum, Choisya, Hardy geraniums, Catmint and Daffodils.

Wildlife: Unclipped plants provide flowers for visiting insects and dense shelter for birds. Small red fruits may follow flowering and can be eaten by birds; frequent clipping greatly reduces flowers and fruit.

• Entomosporium leaf spot causes red-purple spots and leaf drop: remove infected litter, avoid overhead watering and improve airflow. Replace repeatedly defoliated plants with a better-adapted shrub.
• Root rot in wet soil causes wilting and dieback: improve drainage and avoid overwatering; badly affected plants usually need replacing.
• Frost and cold wind scorch young red leaves: choose a sheltered site, avoid late pruning and remove damaged shoots in spring.
• Vine weevil larvae can damage roots, especially in containers: inspect declining plants and use an appropriate biological control when conditions suit.

Leaves contain cyanogenic compounds and can poison grazing animals, including horses, particularly if substantial quantities are eaten; keep all clippings out of paddocks. The risk to people, cats and dogs is less clearly documented, so do not treat the leaves or berries as edible. Seek medical or veterinary advice after significant ingestion.

• Chinese photinia (Photinia serratifolia)

  Usually has larger, broader leaves and develops into a larger shrub or tree; its young growth is often bronze rather than the vivid red of 'Red Robin'.

• Japanese photinia (Photinia glabra)

  Generally has smaller, narrower leaves and less conspicuous red new growth; it is one of the parents of Fraser photinia.

• Lilly pilly (Syzygium australe)

  Also has reddish young growth, but its leaves are opposite and have smooth edges, unlike photinia's alternate, finely toothed leaves.

Photinia comes from the Greek word for shining, referring to the glossy leaves, while 'Red Robin' refers to the red young foliage.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and root in a free-draining medium under humid conditions. Seed does not reliably reproduce 'Red Robin'.

Accepted botanical name

Photinia fraseri

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.