What soil does Red-tip photinia grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Red-tip photinia hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should Red-tip photinia be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Red-tip photinia be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 80 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 1.5 plants per metre.

How much water does Red-tip photinia need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Red-tip photinia cost?

It sells for roughly €12 to €150 in local shops, depending on size.

Red-tip photinia

Photinia × fraseri

Red-tip photinia (Photinia × fraseri) is a hedge plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €12.

Illustration of Red-tip photinia — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An evergreen shrub for hedges and specimens whose new shoots emerge bright red and mature to glossy dark green; trimming in spring and summer brings fresh red flushes but removes the flowers. Cultivars differ in size, leaf colour and hardiness: Red Robin is the familiar vigorous standard, Carré Rouge is denser with smaller leaves, Camilvy is strong-growing, Pink Marble is variegated pink and white, and the dwarf Little Red Robin is more frost-tender; it is also sold trained as a small standard tree, so check mature size and hardiness when choosing. Plant it in a sunny spot sheltered from wind in well-drained soil, because in hard dry winters it can scorch and drop leaves. Many people find the smell of its white flowers unpleasant.

Watch out for

In Central Europe its hardiness is borderline: most reliable sources rate it safely hardy only to about -18 °C, although Red Robin and its relatives have come through frosts near -23 °C in sheltered spots. In hard, windy, dry winters the leaves brown and drop and shoot tips die back; it usually resprouts after a spring cut. Water it in dry winters when the ground is not frozen. Leaf spot (Entomosporium) causes reddish-brown spots and, in humid wet sites, heavy leaf drop: keep water off the foliage, keep the plant airy and clear away fallen leaves. Fire blight and powdery mildew also occur, and it dies in waterlogged soil.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 3 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	1–6 m × 1–4.5 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €12

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
25-30 cm	approx. €32
30-40 cm	approx. €14
40-50 cm	approx. €24
40-45 cm	approx. €31
60-80 cm	approx. €37
100-120 cm	approx. €81
140-160 cm	approx. €150
size not stated	approx. €12 – €19

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Plants for screening Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

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

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