Genus Photinia

Photinia X fraseri Photo/Illustration: David Franko

foe-TIN-ee-ah Synonyms: Heteromeles, Stranvaesia

The genus Photinia is made up of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees from woodlands and thickets of the Himalayas and eastern Asia. Evergreen species have glossy leaves that are often red when young. Deciduous plants often have nice fall color. Flowers are small but produced in dense flowerheads. They are followed by round, usually red, fruit. Photinia have many uses in the landscape, including in a woodland garden, or as specimens or hedges.
Noteworthy characteristics: New growth is often brightly colored.
Care: Site in full sun or part shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Some species need acidic to neutral soil. Prune when dormant.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in fall, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer using bottom heat.
Problems: Crown gall, mushroom root rot, Botrytis, leaf scorch, Entomosporium leaf spot.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Photinia

Photinia × fraseri
(Red tip) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

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4

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11

This is an upright evergreen shrub with lance-shaped leaves. Foliage emerges bright red or bronze, turning a leathery dark green. Small white flowers appear in mid- to late spring.

Photinia pyrifolia 'Brilliantissima'
(Red chokeberry) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

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9

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11

'Brilliantissima' rivals hollies (Ilex spp.) in the quantity and crimson color of its fruit. The quarter-inch-diameter, crab apple-like berries hang in clusters amid brilliant foliage that matures to scarlet. Like the species, this cultivar develops into a handsome, multistemmed, vase-shaped shrub that reaches 8 to 12 feet tall and about half as wide.

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