Photinia × fraseri explained

Photinia × fraseri, known as red tip photinia and Christmas berry, is a nothospecies in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is a hybrid between Photinia glabra and Photinia serratifolia.^[1]

Description

It is a compact shrub with an erect habit that can grow into a medium-sized tree. Its evergreen, oval leaves are dark green but crimson red when young, especially in early spring. Its flowers are small, with five petals, united in large white inflorescences. They bloom at the end of spring. It can reach a height of 5 meters and a diameter of 5 meters. It is frost resistant and can withstand temperatures from -5° to -10°.^[2]

Cultivation

The shrub tolerates moderate shade and it grows in well drained soils. It should be sheltered from the cold and dry winds of winter. It can be propagated by semi-woody cuttings in summer.

Cultivars

The hybrid has a number of cultivars, which include (those marked have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit):

• Photinia × fraseri 'Camilvy'
• Photinia × fraseri 'Curly Fantasy'
• Photinia × fraseri 'Little Red Robin', a plant similar to 'Red Robin', but dwarf in stature with an ultimate height/spread of around 2–3 ft
• Photinia × fraseri 'Pink Marble' or 'Cassini',^[3] a newer cultivar with rose-pink tinted new growth and a creamy-white variegated margin on the leaves
• Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin' - probably the most widely planted of all^[4]
• Photinia × fraseri 'Robusta'^[5]
• Photinia × fraseri 'Super Hedger' - a newer hybrid with strong upright growth

Notes and References

1. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'. 26 May 2013.
2. Web site: AGM Plants - Ornamental . July 2017 . 78 . Royal Horticultural Society . 25 April 2018.
3. Web site: Photinia × fraseri = 'Cassini' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
4. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'. 6 February 2021.
5. Web site: Photinia x fraseri Robusta. Ltd. GardensOnline Pty. www.gardensonline.com.au. 2020-02-24.