European hornbeam vs Red-tip photinia

European hornbeam and Red-tip photinia 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.

European hornbeam

Carpinus betulus 6 m × 4.5 m after 10 years

It makes a dense hedge that responds well to clipping, but grows into a large shade tree if left unpruned. The foliage turns yellow in autumn, and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 2

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 PLN 34

Key differences

European hornbeam is deciduous, Red-tip photinia is evergreen.
European hornbeam grows larger: 6 m × 4.5 m after ten years, against 3 m × 2 m for Red-tip photinia (an estimate: sources differ).
European hornbeam is hardier: down to -27 °C, against -18 °C for Red-tip photinia.
European hornbeam also takes heavy clay, Red-tip photinia needs a loose, free-draining soil.
European hornbeam also grows in shade, Red-tip photinia does not.
European hornbeam has pollen that can cause allergies, Red-tip photinia does not.

Which one to choose?

European hornbeam is the better choice if the garden is cold or a frost pocket, the soil is heavy clay or the spot is shady.

Red-tip photinia is the better choice if it must screen in winter too, space is tight or someone in the family has a pollen allergy.

Watch out for

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	European hornbeam	Red-tip photinia
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	6 m × 4.5 m (uncertain)	3 m × 2 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	15–20 m × 9–12 m (uncertain)	3–5 m × 3–5 m
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Fast
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -27 °C (USDA 5, RHS H7)	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	High
Foliage	Deciduous	Evergreen
Flowering	March–April, yellow, green	April–May, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planted as a hedge	3.5 plants per running metre	2.5 plants per running metre
For dogs	no data	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about PLN 6 (40–60 cm)	about PLN 34 (< 40 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

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

European hornbeam vs Arborvitae European hornbeam vs Cherry laurel European hornbeam vs Common yew European hornbeam vs Leyland cypress European hornbeam vs Oval-leaved privet European hornbeam vs Photinia 'Red Robin' 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 Japanese spindle Red-tip photinia vs Oval-leaved privet Red-tip photinia vs Photinia 'Red Robin'