Fraser Photinia (Red Tip Photinia)
Photinia x fraseri · Evergreen, Broadleaf, Small Tree/Large Shrub
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Flowering, Privacy Screening
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Red Robin' (the most common cultivar of this hybrid)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-9
About This Tree
A dense, fast-growing broadleaf evergreen with a rounded, multi-stemmed form. It is highly recognized for its 'red tips' where new seasonal growth is a brilliant scarlet red before maturing to dark green. It produces large, flat-topped clusters (corymbs) of small, white flowers that have a distinct, somewhat pungent scent.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, elliptical leaves with finely serrated margins. 3-5 inches long. Emerging leaves are bright red to bronze, maturing to a glossy, dark leathery green.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown bark that is relatively smooth when young, becoming slightly fissured or scaly with age. Often obscured by dense foliage in shrub form.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Hybrid origin (Cross between P. glabra and P. serratifolia); native to East Asia (China, Japan)
Growing Season
Evergreen with year-round foliage; best known for bright red new growth in spring/early summer; blooms late spring with clusters of white flowers.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (full sun yields better red color); moderate water needs; well-drained soil preferred; fairly drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Typically 10-15 feet tall and wide, though can reach 20 feet if left unpruned; fast growth rate (1-3 feet per year).
Special Characteristics
Prized for its brilliant red spring foliage and dense screening capability. However, it is highly susceptible to Entomosporium leaf spot (fungal disease) in humid climates.
Wildlife & Ecology
Flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies; dense evergreen foliage offers excellent nesting sites and cover for songbirds; produces small red pome fruits (berries) that may be eaten by birds in winter.