Brise-vue & Haies - Plant and Stories
Privacy Screens & Hedges
Feuillage persistant - Plant and Stories
Evergreen foliage
Plantes à croissance rapide - Plant and Stories
Fast-growing plants

You might like these collections

1 14

Daily care and tips for Photinia ‘Red Robin’ & ‘Carré Rouge’

When and how should you prune Photinia to bring back its red colour?

Prune twice a year, after the spring flowering and then in late summer. Each pruning encourages bright red young shoots: the more you prune, the more colorful and dense the hedge becomes. Use clean pruning shears to reduce the risk of disease.

Is photinia resistant to frost and drought?

Photinia is hardy down to around −15 °C and tolerates drought well once established. For the first two years, water it regularly while its root system takes hold; after that, it requires very little care.

Can you grow a Photinia in a pot on a patio?

Yes, especially the more compact Photinia Little Red Robin. Choose a large, well-drained container and good-quality potting mix, and water more regularly than you would in the ground. Applying fertiliser in spring supports colour and growth.

When should I plant a Photinia Red Robin?

The best time is autumn, from September to November, when the soil is still warm: the roots establish themselves before winter, ready for vigorous growth in spring. Spring (March–April) is also suitable, provided you water regularly during the first summer. Avoid planting during frosts or extreme heat.

How do you treat leaf spot on Photinia (entomosporium leaf spot)?

Entomosporium leaf spot appears as small red to brown spots on the foliage. Collect and dispose of affected leaves, both on the ground and on the plant, space the plants far enough apart to allow air to circulate through the hedge, and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. A well-pruned, well-ventilated hedge greatly limits the disease.

Everything you need to know about Photinia ‘Red Robin’ & ‘Carré Rouge’

Does Photinia Red Robin grow quickly?

Yes. Photinia Red Robin is a fast-growing hedge, with 20 to 30 cm of growth per year in good conditions. It forms a dense privacy hedge in 2 to 3 years, making it one of the fastest-growing evergreens for a colorful privacy screen.

What spacing should I use when planting a Photinia hedge?

Allow 3 to 4 plants per linear metre, spaced 60 to 80 cm apart, for a dense hedge that fills in quickly. For a standalone plant, leave at least 1.50 m around it.

Does Photinia keep its leaves in winter?

Yes, Photinia is an evergreen shrub: it keeps its foliage all year round, providing effective privacy screening even in winter. The young red shoots appear mainly in spring and after each pruning.

How tall does a Photinia Red Robin grow?

In an informal hedge, Photinia Red Robin reaches 2 to 3 metres in height, and up to 4 metres when grown as an unpruned specimen. In a clipped hedge, it is easily kept between 1.50 and 2.50 m; regular pruning thickens the foliage and encourages fresh red growth.

Is Photinia toxic to animals?

Photinia is considered mildly toxic: its leaves contain cyanogenic compounds that can cause digestive problems if a dog or cat ingests a large quantity. The risk is limited when used as a hedge, but it is best to prevent pets from chewing on it regularly.

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ & ‘Carré Rouge’

The Photinia x fraseri is the most colorful evergreen hedge: its bright red new growth stands out against its glossy green foliage twice a year. Fast-growing (20 to 30 cm/year), hardy and easy to grow, it can be planted as a formal or informal hedge, in the ground or in a pot.

Key facts at a glance:

  • 🍃 Foliage: evergreen, with brilliant red new growth
  • 📈 Growth: fast, 20 to 30 cm per year
  • ❄️ Hardiness: down to −15 °C, suitable for all climates
  • ✂️ Pruning: twice a year to bring out the red color
  • 🪴 Uses: hedges, borders, specimen planting, pots

Which Photinia should you choose for your hedge?

The Photinia Red Robin remains the top choice for a 1.50 to 2.50 m hedge with scarlet new growth. The Photinia Carré Rouge (Photinia 'Carré Rouge') has a dense, compact habit, making it ideal for a low, neatly structured hedge. For a small space, border or patio pot, the Photinia Little Red Robin naturally stays shorter and more compact. All our varieties are supplied in pots, in several sizes and multipacks to suit the length of hedge you need to cover.

Planting and caring for your Photinia

Photinia is best planted in autumn or spring, in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Allow 3 to 4 plants per metre for a hedge that fills in quickly. Pruning is key to its color: trim after each flush to encourage new red growth and thicken the branches. Watch out for Entomosporium leaf spot (spots on the leaves), and find all our advice in our complete guide to Photinia Red Robin.

Buy your Photinia Red Robin from Plant and Stories

Our Photinia plants are supplied by Everspring, delivered in pots and available individually or in multipacks to create a complete hedge. Fast, secure delivery. Explore our full Privacy Screens & Hedges collection and our range of evergreen foliage plants.

Show moreShow less