Plant Library

Other Names:  Red Tipped Photinia

Description:

One of the mainstay shrubs for today's urban landscapes, this ubiquitous hedge plant features unmistakable rich red foliage in spring that matures to dark green; pruning stimulates new reddish growth over the season; flowers are pretty when not pruned out

Ornamental Features

Red Tip Photinia is clothed in stunning panicles of white flowers with yellow anthers held atop the branches from early to mid spring. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage which emerges brick red in spring. The glossy narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy red pomes carried in abundance from late summer to late fall.

Landscape Attributes

Red Tip Photinia is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Red Tip Photinia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Red Tip Photinia will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in a location that gets morning sunlight but is shaded from the hot afternoon sun, although it will also grow in partial shade. Keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.