Japanese spindle vs Red-tip photinia

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

Japanese spindle

Euonymus japonicus 2 m × 1.5 m after 10 years

An evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves that takes clipping well, so it works as a low to medium hedge, a screen or a container plant, and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 47

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

Red-tip photinia grows larger: 3 m × 2 m after ten years, against 2 m × 1.5 m for Japanese spindle (an estimate: sources differ).
Red-tip photinia grows faster than Japanese spindle.
Japanese spindle also takes heavy clay, Red-tip photinia needs a loose, free-draining soil.
Japanese spindle also grows in shade, Red-tip photinia does not.

Which one to choose?

Japanese spindle is the better choice if space is tight, the soil is heavy clay or the spot is shady.

Red-tip photinia is the better choice if you want quick results.

Watch out for

Japanese spindle

Only moderately hardy in Central Europe: at roughly -15 to -20 °C, or in strong winter sun and wind, the leaves scorch, and in a hard winter shoots can die back, especially on young and variegated plants. It usually resprouts in spring, but it is a risky hedge for cold, exposed sites. Euonymus scale is a common pest, and powdery mildew attacks dense, poorly ventilated plantings.

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	Japanese spindle	Red-tip photinia
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	2 m × 1.5 m	3 m × 2 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	2.5–4.5 m × 1.5–2.5 m	3–5 m × 3–5 m
Growth rate	Medium	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 -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Heat tolerance	no data	High
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	May–July, green	April–May, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planted as a hedge	3 plants per running metre	2.5 plants per running metre
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about PLN 66 (< 40 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

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