Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ (19/03/2011, Kennington, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 6m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Rosaceae

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a fast growing evergreen shrub with a compact upright habit. It has inversely lance shaped to elliptic, leathery dark green leaves that are bright red when young. In mid to late spring it produces small white flowers in corymb-like panicles. The flowers are sometimes followed by spherical red fruit.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ Leaf (19/03/2011, Kennington, London)

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a cross between Photinia glabra and Photinia serratifolia. The genus is native to the temperate regions of Asia. It should be noted that all members of the Photinia genus are highly poisonous to grazing animals should not be planted in any situation where they might encounter it.

The etymological root of the binomial name Photinia is derived from the Greek photeinos meaning ‘shining’ in reference to its glossy leaves. x fraseri is a Hybrid named after Fraser’s Nursery in Birmingham, America. ‘Red Robin’ is in reference to bright waxy red of its new shoots and leaves.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is of use to the landscape architect as a low maintenance hedge or screen which provides spring interest. The new growth can be damaged by a late spring frost and so a sheltered location is advisable such as west or south facing wall.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is ecologically valuable as it attracts pollinating insects with its nectar and the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera feed on its leaves.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ Hedge (01/04/2015, Tokyo, Japan)

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ requires little to no care, just the pruning of unwanted growth. If grown as a hedge maintenance should be carried out when the new growth has lost its colour. This plant can be trimmed up to three times a year to encourage new red growth, although pruning is not advised after mid August.