Plant description
Photinia is an evergreen shrub with simple glossy green leaves, white flowers, red berries and young red shoots. It grows and spreads to 5-4 meters in 10-20 years depending on environmental conditions.
Most used and famous cultivar is Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’ which can grow as a shrub, small tree with round crown or even prune as topiary form.
Cultivation
It grows best in full to partial sun and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Dry wind and late frost can easily damage young shoots if they are exposed.Photinia is tolerant to even clay soil and requires acid or alkaline conditions.
Pruning
Photinias require minimal pruning, but you have to do it if you want to keep the shape of the plant and to help it grow and spread better. It’s not good to prune it after September because branches may be exposed to frost.
Propagation
The best method for propagating is by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in summer and autumn. Some of the cultivars can also be propagated by seed.
Problems
Photinias are usually trouble-free but can suffer from a number of common problems such as Photinia leaf spot and heavy leaf loss which is a physiological problem caused by cold and wet winters. It manifests as purple-brown spotting on the foliage.To avoid this type of damage, plant in a sheltered spot preferably against a wall or fence.
