Red tip photinia, also known as Fraser photinia, is a broadleaf hybrid shrub that gets its name from the striking red color of its young leaves. Red tip photinia thrives in full sun, though it can handle partial shade, and in alkaline, well-draining soil. In fact, this shrub is even fairly drought-tolerant.
The red robin photinia (Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’) is a popular evergreen shrub that is highly valued for its vibrant ruby-red new foliage that emerges in spring. This striking shrub is beloved for its ability to add a pop of color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes. As a fast-growing plant, red robin photinias establish quickly when young but can eventually reach over 15 feet tall and wide when fully mature.
Here’s what to expect as your red robin photinia grows into a full-size specimen tree over time
Mature Size and Form
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At maturity, red robin photinia typically reaches a height of 12-15 feet tall and a spread of 12-15 feet wide. However, with ideal growing conditions, it can potentially reach up to 20 feet tall.
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It has a rounded, spreading form with dense horizontal branching. This gives it a thick, full appearance.
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The bark is gray and develops shallow fissures as it ages, adding textural interest.
Leaves
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New leaves emerge a bright ruby red color in spring before transitioning to a glossy green as they mature.
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The leaves are 2-4 inches long with an oblong, elliptical shape and toothed edges. They have a leathery texture.
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This photinia retains its foliage year-round, providing substance and structure during the winter months.
Flowers and Fruit
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Small white flowers bloom in clusters in mid to late spring. They have an unpleasant odor.
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If not deadheaded, the flowers give way to tiny red berries in late summer through fall. These can provide a food source for birds.
Growing Conditions
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Red robin photinia thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-9.
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It prefers moist, well-draining soil and does best in full sun for maximum color, but also tolerates partial shade.
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Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance.
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Shelter it from harsh winter winds, as the tender new growth can suffer damage.
Pruning Needs
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Prune annually in late winter to maintain its shape and health.
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Removing 6 inches from branch tips will stimulate new red shoot growth.
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Thin out interior branches to improve airflow and light penetration.
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Cut back older, leggy stems close to the base to rejuvenate plants.
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Avoid shearing, and always use clean pruning cuts.
Potential Issues to Watch For
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Interior leaf loss and sparse growth due to poor air circulation. Thinning congested branches helps prevent this.
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Susceptibility to powdery mildew fungal disease, especially in humid climates. Improve airflow to reduce disease risk.
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Cold damage to new red shoots if sited in exposed, cold areas. Choose a sheltered spot.
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Outgrowing its space in the landscape over time. Allow adequate room or prune regularly.
With proper placement, pruning, and care, a mature red robin photinia can become a beautiful focal point in the landscape. It offers year-round evergreen structure along with the bonus of vivid ruby new growth in spring and summer. Pay attention to its growing conditions and pruning needs, and this striking shrub will develop into a gorgeous specimen over time.
Light
Red tip photinia has a broad tolerance range for sunlight exposure. It can even tolerate full shade, though this will limit flowering. In hot climates, this shrub does best when it gets partial shade—especially protection from the hot afternoon sun. In cooler climate zones, it prefers full sun. It is best planted in north- or east-facing locations.
Water
Once established, red tip photinia has a good tolerance for short periods of drought and will thrive with an alternate-week watering schedule. It will do well with about one inch of water per week, rainfall, and irrigation combined, especially in the first two years. Water the plant once a week at its base during dry periods, and avoid getting the leaves wet.
Photinia Standard – Red Robin – YouGarden
FAQ
How big do Red Robin trees get?
In regard to maintenance, Photinia is a low-maintenance, easy to care for plant. Reaching a mature height of 4-4.5m and spread of 3m, Photinia has an annual growth rate of up to 30cm.
How quickly do Red Robin trees grow?
Red Robin grows fast. It can put on as much as 30cm in a year, therefore it’s great if you want some quick coverage, but if you want thick and bushy, trim it back to encourage branching. Pruning is easy as Red Robin will grow back from anywhere on the stem.
Where is the best place to plant a Red Robin?
This hardy hedge thrives in well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established, perfect for gardens with full sun and partial shade. With its low-maintenance nature, Photinia fraseri hedging only requires occasional pruning to encourage fresh red growth and keep the hedge looking its best.
What is the growth rate of a Red Robin?
Growth rate of a Photinia Red Robin Hedge
Photinia hedging has an average growth rate of about 30cm a year, making it suitable for maintaining a height of 1m-4m.
Are Red Robin Photinia trees evergreen?
With proper placement and pruning, a mature Red Robin photinia can be a beautiful evergreen specimen tree that provides year-round interest in the landscape. Photinias are shrubs or small trees from China. There are several species, some are evergreen and others
How tall does Red Robin grow?
‘Red Robin’ grows to 5m tall and has the RHS Award of Garden Merit. This more recently introduced cultivar is similar in colour and general appearance to the popular ‘Red Robin’ but is a dwarf variety that grows to a height and spread of no more than a metre.
Are red robins evergreen?
‘Red Robin’ is an eye-catching example of this group of evergreen hybrids. It has bright red young grown, and leaves turn to a dark, glossy shade of green as they mature. While the hybrid originated at the Fraser Nursery in Alabama (hence its name) the ‘Red Robin’ cultivar was subsequently developed in New Zealand. 2
Do Red Robins flower?
These were developed from Asian species of this genus; though they do flower, they do so sparsely, with small, creamy-white flowers in spring. ‘Red Robin’ is an eye-catching example of this group of evergreen hybrids. It has bright red young grown, and leaves turn to a dark, glossy shade of green as they mature.
Can you grow Photinia Red Robin seeds online?
The Photinia Red Robin is a hybrid between Photinia and Fraseri; therefore, it may be challenging for the plant to produce seeds. However, you can purchase these seeds online and plant them successfully. The challenge of propagating Photinia Red Robin seeds is that they require stratification, and this takes time.
Is Red Robin a good topiary shrub?
This also means that it can be an excellent shrub for topiary, and can be shaped in a range of different ways – as a typical shrub, or in a standard tree or pleached tree type form. “I love to grow shrubs like Photinia ‘Red Robin’ as standards in borders,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.