Photinia x fraseri 'Mandarino' CARRÉ ROUGE

Fraser's photinia is a popular shrub in countries and regions with milder winters. It is a hybrid between photinia glabra and photinia serratifolia. Red Robin was the first variety that came from this crossing, and after it proved huge commercial success, new selections have been introduced.

Carré Rouge is a French selection of Fraser's photinia from Red Robin variety. It originated in Nantes and produces smaller leaves of intensely red colour when young, maturing to deep green, yet keeping the top leaves crimson or wine red. New leaves with red colour emerge at least twice a year: in early spring and in late summer, and you can bring the second phase forward by pruning the shrub in early summer just as the new leaves turn green. Young twigs are rich red.

It has a neat, upright habit, growing quite fast into a very bushy and dense shrub. It makes it ideal for hedges or in places where a more slender plant as opposed to wide Red Robin is required. It is quite hardy yet we recommend finding it a place sheltered from strong, drying winds in winters of zone 6. It can be pruned from early spring until midsummer.

It needs moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil and mulching. Acid soil will provide richer foliage colour but for healthy growth it is not essential. Provide extra watering in hot summers and mainly in frost-free periods in the winter if the ground is not frozen. Hardy to about -24°C.

Last update 21-07-2016