Planting Photinia Red Robin is simple. It is hardy and unfussy and providing it with its few straightforward preferences will ensure it thrives…
Planting Photinia Red Robin
Foliage: Evergreen, but like all evergreens, it drops a few leaves throughout the year
Habit: Compact yet bushy – and dense
Soil: Photinia Red Robin has a preference for deep loam but will thrive in any well-draining soil including sand and chalk. It will grow in heavy clay once the soil has been well-improved by digging in plenty of compost, organic matter and, if necessary, grit
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Hardiness: Excellent, down to -12°C. Planting Photinia ‘Red Robin’ in a protected position will ensure it can cope with temperatures a few degrees lower. Late spring frosts can be a problem for new growth in more exposed situations but the plants can easily be protected against this and will grow out of any damage.
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed but harsh, drying winds may cause die-back but once damaged stems have been removed, new growth will soon appear
Light: Full sun to partial shade. It has a low tolerance of full shade
Aspect: Any
Growth: Medium-Fast. Once established, it will put on c. 30cm every year up to (if left unpruned) 4m. Pruned, you can keep a hedge at anything from 1.2m to the traditional 2m height
Maintenance; Easy – just follow the tips in the next few posts
Pests & Diseases: Generally robust, though it can be troubled by, or leaf spot. If you spot the spots, spray with a proprietary fungicide as you would roses. Gavin: Do you agree with this?
Watering: Drought resistant, Photinia Red Robin likes to be in the Goldilocks zone – not too wet, not to dry. If planted well and once established it will find water for itself other than during a particularly extended dry period when it will eventually need watering
Versatility: Happy in the ground as a hedge or specimen and equally content in a container
Uses: Photinia Red Robin is excellent as a barrier hedge for privacy but if you need full-on security, go for a thick, close-knit hedge like Privet, Yew or Hornbeam
Planting Photinia Red Robin NB:
Clones of this hedging plant are available but we are not yet convinced of their viability or suitability and have therefore decided to wait for the results of further tests and trials before we consider adding them to our list.
Planting Photinia Red Robin for Flowers
While Photinia Red Robin is grown primarily for those bright red stems and leaves, it is also an attractively flowering shrub (see picture above) that comes into bloom in June. But there’s a ‘but’ – it will only flower if you forgo the pruning as pruning removes the flower buds. So, the plant offers a choice – that red, distinctive foliage (probably the reason you chose it) or attractive, white flowers.
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