Blue holly vs Photinia 'Red Robin'

Blue holly and Photinia 'Red Robin' are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening, specimen). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Blue holly

Ilex × meserveae 2 m × 1.5 m after 10 years

A dense evergreen shrub with glossy, blue-green, spiny leaves that is much hardier than English holly, so it works both as an impenetrable hedge and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about €5

Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin' 3 m × 2 m after 10 years

Glossy evergreen leaves and bright red new shoots make this a colourful hedge or a striking standalone shrub. Give it sun or partial shade, shelter…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about €12

Key differences

Photinia 'Red Robin' grows faster than Blue holly.
Blue holly is hardier: down to -29 °C, against -15 °C for Photinia 'Red Robin'.
Photinia 'Red Robin' tolerates drought better than Blue holly.
Blue holly needs less care than Photinia 'Red Robin'.
Photinia 'Red Robin' is cheaper: about €14 at the size usually planted, against about €25 for Blue holly.

The data side by side

Feature	Blue holly	Photinia 'Red Robin'
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	2 m × 1.5 m	3 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	1.5–4.5 m × 1–3.6 m	3–5 m × 3–5 m
Growth rate	Slow	Fast
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -15 °C (USDA 7, RHS H5)
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white	May–June, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Medium
Planting distance	80 cm	200 cm
For dogs	Toxic	no data
For cats	Toxic	no data
For children	Toxic	no data
Typical price	approx. €25	approx. €14

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 13, 2026

Want a more precise suggestion?

Describe the spot and what you are after in a few words, and the plant finder picks for your garden.

Open the plant finder

More comparisons

Blue holly vs English holly Blue holly vs Japanese holly Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Anglo-Japanese yew Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Arborvitae Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Cherry laurel Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Common yew Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Ebbing's silverberry Photinia 'Red Robin' vs European hornbeam Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Japanese spindle Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Oval-leaved privet Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Red-tip photinia