Photinia x fraseri (Fraser Photinia, Red tip)
Photinia x fraseri is known for its color leaf that changes as it matures, passing through shades of reddish-copper and eventually maturing to a rich dark green. The shrub typically grows 3.1-3.7 m in height. Small white flowers appear in spring arranged in flat-domed clusters. Most people don't see the showy white flower clusters borne at the ends of the branches in the summer because they regularly prune the new growth. The red tip (P. x fraseri) is a hybrid that resembles a supersized version of one of its parents, the Japanese photinia (P. glabra) which is smaller in stature and leaf size. Japanese photinia blooms later in the season and forms red berries that ripen to black while red tip only occasionally produce a few red berries. The other parent is Chinese photinia (P. serrulata) which grows taller and has more leathery leaves that are bronze when young. Extremely tough and vigorous, red tip grows in almost any adequately drained soil (avoid soggy spots) and on sun to partial shade It is not salt tolerant, but withstands intense heat. It needs some chilling in winter, and does not thrive in tropical conditions. It may be pruned to shape and control size anytime in spring or summer. Red tip is used to create tall hedges. Dense growth allows these to serve as effective barriers that are beautiful and functional.Planted in a mixed shrub border, the red tip adds considerable interest with its contrasting red, bronze and green foliage. By pruning lower branches, individual shrubs can be trained into small trees. This shrub is subject to entomosporium leaf spot, a fungus, which must be controlled or it will cause gradual thinning, defoliation, and plant death. Spray with fungicide at first sign of infestation.
- Landscape Information
- Botanical Description
- Horticulture Management
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By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Nadine Modad
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By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Nadine Modad
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By Nadine Modad
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French Name: Photinia de Fraser
Pronunciation: foe-TIN-nee-uh x FRAY-zer-eye
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Plant type: Shrub
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Heat Zones: 5 to 9
Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
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Uses: Screen, Hedge, Specimen, Container, Wildlife, Street, Pollution Tolerant / Urban
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Size/Shape
Growth Rate: Moderate
Tree Shape: Round
Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical
Canopy Density: Dense
Canopy Texture: Medium
Height at Maturity: 3 to 5 m
Spread at Maturity: 3 to 5 meters
Time to Ultimate Height: 10 to 20 Years
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Foliage
Leaf Arrangement : Alternate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Persistance: Evergreen
Leaf Type: Simple
Leaf Blade: 5 - 10 cm
Leaf Margins: Serrate
Leaf Texture: Rough, Glossy
Color(growing season): Green
Color(changing season): Green
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Flower
Flower Scent: Pleasant
Flower Color: White
Seasons: Summer
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Trunk
Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage
Number of Trunks: Can be trained to one trunk
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Fruit
Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5
Fruit Color: Red
Seasons: Summer
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Tolerance
Frost Tolerant: Yes
Salt Tolerance: Poor
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Requirements
Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Requirements: Neutral, Alkaline
Water Requirements: Moderate
Light Requirements: Full
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Management
Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: Yes
Pruning Requirements: Little needed, to develop a strong structure
Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No
Life Span: Less than 25
Pests: Mites, Caterpillars, Scales
Plant Propagation: Cutting