Photinia 'Red Robin'
The Highlights
- An immediately recognisable shrub that can't fail to be noticed, even at a distance. This compact, bushy evergreen produces glossy, bright red leaves that turn dark green as they mature, with clusters of small, ivory white flowers blooming in spring
- A low maintenance plant ideal for a burst of colour all year round
- Grows to between 2.5-4m unless pruned, making it suitable for even the smallest garden or even pots
- Incredibly versatile photinia can be grown as a small shrub, tree, formal or informal hedge
- Plant Red Robin in full sun for the brightest leaf colour
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
The Highlights
- An immediately recognisable shrub that can't fail to be noticed, even at a distance. This compact, bushy evergreen produces glossy, bright red leaves that turn dark green as they mature, with clusters of small, ivory white flowers blooming in spring
- A low maintenance plant ideal for a burst of colour all year round
- Grows to between 2.5-4m unless pruned, making it suitable for even the smallest garden or even pots
- Incredibly versatile photinia can be grown as a small shrub, tree, formal or informal hedge
- Plant Red Robin in full sun for the brightest leaf colour
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Care Guide
Good pest and disease resistance
Watch out for vine weevil, fireblight and leaf spot. Check leaves regularly for Vine Weevil infestations including small notches bitten into the leaves. Try to pick off as many as you can if you find them, including possible larvae. You can also use specific nematodes that will target the Vine Weevils and cause them to die if you notice a serious infestation. Fireblight is a bacterial disease that gives the plant the appearance of having been scorched by fire. Blossoms wilt and die, and shoots can shrivel as the infection spreads. Prune out and burn infections promptly, peeling back the bark to reveal the reddish-brown staining and cutting back 30cm to healthy wood in smaller branches, 60cm in larger ones. Wipe pruning tools with disinfectant between cuts to avoid spreading the bacteria. Leaf spot is a fungal disease which appears as dark spots on the leaves. Remove any affected foliage, as if it spreads, this can affect the plant's vigour.
Full sun to partial shade
Plant in a sheltered spot where the plant will receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
Any moist, well-drained soil
Thrives in a variety of soils as long as they're well-draining. If your soil is particularly clay-heavy and/or gets waterlogged often then consider mixing in plenty of organic matter such as garden compost and possibly some perlite to improve drainage.
Prune lightly
Pruning Group 1 - These shrubs need very little pruning and are best left to their own devices in most cases. They do not send out vigorous shoots that need curbing. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. These plants flower on previous or current year's growth.
For more care tips and ideas visit our Knowledge page
Planting Calendar
- Best time to plant
- Harvest
- Flower