Photinia 'Red Robin' vs Red-tip photinia

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

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 CZK 120

Red-tip photinia

Photinia × fraseri 3 m × 2 m after 10 years

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…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 120

Key differences

Photinia 'Red Robin' also takes heavy clay, Red-tip photinia needs a loose, free-draining soil.

Which one to choose?

Photinia 'Red Robin' is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay.

Watch out for

Photinia 'Red Robin'

In Central Europe, severe frost, winter drying and late frosts can damage foliage and young shoots; it is not a reliable choice where winter minima reach -20 to -25 °C. Entomosporium leaf spot can cause substantial defoliation in humid, poorly ventilated planting. Waterlogging can damage roots, and strongly calcareous soil may cause nutrient-deficiency yellowing.

Red-tip photinia

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.

The data side by side

Feature	Photinia 'Red Robin'	Red-tip photinia
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2 m	3 m × 2 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	3–5 m × 3–5 m (uncertain)	3–5 m × 3–5 m
Growth rate	Fast	Fast
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Heat tolerance	no data	High
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	May–June, white	April–May, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planted as a hedge	2.5 plants per running metre	2.5 plants per running metre
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about CZK 1,800 (60–100 cm)	about CZK 2,200 (60–100 cm)
Hedge price per running metre	about CZK 4,500 (60–100 cm)	about CZK 5,500 (60–100 cm)

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 26, 2026

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