Plants
Photinia
Photinia x fraseri · Rosaceae
Photinia — above all the variety „Red Robin“ — is the modern answer to the question of an evergreen hedge with colour: its young growth glows fiery red for weeks above the glossy dark green foliage. Add white flower corymbs in May and a good tolerance of clipping. It feels especially at home in mild regions like the Rhineland.
- Light
- Sun to partial shade; the more light, the stronger the red flush.
- Watering
- Moderate: keep evenly fresh; top up on frost-free days in winter.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Photinia x fraseri
Botanically, photinia belongs to the rose family and is thus related to apple, hawthorn and firethorn. „Red Robin“ is by far the most planted variety; more compact selections such as „Little Red Robin“ suit pots and low edging, while „Carré Rouge“ is considered especially hardy and intensely coloured.
The red flush is not a flowering effect but young foliage: the fresh leaves form red protective pigments before turning green. You can steer this effect — every trim triggers new growth. If you lightly clip the hedge again after the first flush in June, you get a second red wave in summer.
The most important site factor is microclimate. Photinia is reasonably hardy, but in harsh locations it suffers from cold, desiccating east winds combined with winter sun — then the leaves curl and brown. A sheltered spot, with wind protection if in doubt, and watering on frost-free winter days prevent this. In the mild city climate of Düsseldorf it is rarely a problem.
In floristry, photinia is an established cut green: the glossy, red-tinged shoots give bouquets and arrangements depth and last a good two weeks in the vase. At the auction it is traded year-round as branch material and is a favourite partner of ours for roses and autumnal tones.
Like many members of the rose family, photinia contains small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides in its leaves and seeds. It is therefore considered mildly toxic to dogs, cats and people — although larger quantities would have to be eaten for serious symptoms. Children should still not snack on the red berries.
Is Photinia toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
Leaves and seeds contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides; photinia is considered mildly toxic to dogs, cats and people. Symptoms are only expected after eating larger quantities, but the berries should still not be nibbled.
Typical symptoms: After eating larger amounts: drooling, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Sunny to partially shaded and ideally wind-sheltered position; plenty of light intensifies the red flush.
- 02Free-draining, humus-rich soil; waterlogging is poorly tolerated.
- 03Water regularly in the planting year and in dry summers, and on frost-free winter days too.
- 04Clip after flowering in June; a second light trim encourages another red flush.
- 05Feed with compost or organic fertiliser in spring.
- 06In harsh locations, give young plants fleece protection against winter sun and east wind in their first winter.
Frequently asked
- Why is my photinia's new growth no longer red?
- Only the young leaves are red — without trimming, the plant greens out and looks plain. A light cut after flowering triggers fresh red growth. Too little light also weakens the colouring; „Red Robin“ glows strongest in sunny positions.
- Is photinia toxic to dogs and cats?
- It is considered mildly toxic: leaves and seeds contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides. If an animal chews larger quantities, drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea are possible. The odd ingested leaf is usually uncritical, but pets should not graze on the hedge regularly.
- Is photinia hardy?
- In mild regions like the Rhineland yes, down to about -15 to -20 °C depending on variety. More critical than the cold itself is the combination of frozen ground, winter sun and dry east wind, which desiccates the evergreen foliage. A sheltered position and watering on frost-free days are the best winter protection.
- How fast does a photinia hedge grow?
- „Red Robin“ gains around 30 to 40 centimetres a year. With two to three plants per metre you reach a dense evergreen hedge of about two metres in four to five years — slower than privet, but green all year with a colourful flush.