Species

Photinia x fraseriRed Tip Photinia

2 other cultivars

shrub

Red Tip Photinia

Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'

The Story

Plant Bio

Photinia × fraseri is a dense, evergreen hybrid of garden origin, bred from the Asian parent species Photinia glabra and Photinia serratifolia. The shrub maintains an upright-oval to rounded habit with leathery, finely serrated foliage and produces dense, creamy-white terminal panicles in mid-spring.

'Red Robin' is distinguished by its compact, bushy form and brilliant crimson-red new foliage that emerges in spring before maturing to a glossy dark green. This cultivar is widely utilized for formal hedging and privacy screens due to its rapid growth and dense branching structure.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides year-round structure with glossy evergreen foliage and a dramatic spring display of bright red new growth.

Functions as a fast-growing, dense privacy screen or windbreak that tolerates pruning and coastal exposure.

Offers dense nesting habitat and protective cover for small birds, while the spring flowers attract generalist bees.

SpeciesPhotinia x fraseriRed Tip Photinia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

157"

Width

118"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Multi-decade

Native To

Garden origin (hybrid of Asian parents)

Toxicity

Toxic to pets and humans if ingested

Bloom period

Mid-spring – Late spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant at the same depth it was in the container.
Backfill with native soil, water deeply to settle, and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, drought-tolerant root system.

Pro Tip

Selective pruning with hand secateurs just above leaf nodes prevents the unsightly brown, necrotic leaf edges caused by mechanical hedge shears. Avoid planting this cultivar in enclosed, humid spaces with poor air circulation, which triggers severe outbreaks of Entomosporium leaf spot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly one to three times during the spring and summer to stimulate fresh red growth flushes.
Use hand secateurs to make clean cuts just above leaf nodes.
Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and minimize fungal leaf spot.

Don't

Do not prune in fall, as this stimulates tender new growth that is easily damaged by winter frost.
Do not plant in poorly drained, waterlogged soils where the roots are prone to rot.
Do not use mechanical hedge trimmers that slice the large leaves and leave brown, necrotic edges.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Privacy ScreenFormal HedgeSpecimen PlantWindbreak

Companion Plants

Buxus sempervirens Lonicera nitida Loropetalum chinense

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Red Tip Photinia questions

What zones can Red Tip Photinia grow in?

Red Tip Photinia is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Red Tip Photinia deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Red Tip Photinia, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Red Tip Photinia bloom?

Red Tip Photinia typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Red Tip Photinia need full sun?

Red Tip Photinia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Red Tip Photinia drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Red Tip Photinia handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.