Photinia x fras. 'Red Robin'

Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' is the most widely used evergreen shrub for colourful hedges: its new shoots are an intense lacquer red that stands out against the glossy green mature leaves.

Characteristics
A vigorous, dense shrub 2-4 m tall, with leathery, oval, serrated leaves 8-12 cm long. The bright red new growth appears in spring and is repeated after every pruning. In April and May it bears corymbs of small, fragrant white flowers.

Growing and care
It grows in full sun or partial shade (the red is more intense in sun) on well drained soils, even poor ones; it tolerates lime but not waterlogging. Hardy to about -12/-15 °C and tolerant of salt spray. Prune once or twice a year, in late winter and after the first flush, to keep its shape and encourage new red growth.

Uses
Perfect for formal and informal hedges, screens and windbreaks, but also as a specimen plant, in groups, or trained as a standard in a container.