Photinia serratifolia

Chinese photinia is a species which is less common in trade and almost nonexistent in European nurseries. Reason being that all European encyclopedias rate it much less winter hardy than David’s or Fraser’s photinia which are very popular evergreen shrubs used for hedges in zones 6 and higher all over temperate regions. However, in the USA this species has been successfully cultivated for a few decades now, and has proved reliably hardy to zone 6 which allows using it in the same areas as the other well-known hybrids and species.

Chinese photinia is a vigorous evergreen shrub reaching anything from 3 to 6 meters in its natural habitat. In continental climate of Central Europe it will mature at 4-4.5m. Its leathery leaves are elongated, glossy, partially undulated, and very finely serrated at margins. Plants with heavier serration are commonly selected for production of new varieties. They emerge copper red in mid spring and mature to medium green with dark olive green hues. New leaves are produced once or even twice again until autumn, this time with only pale bronze red colour, and the same shade will dress up the whole plant in various depths for winter and early spring, until the arrival of warm days. Then they turn green again while new foliage comes out. In mid spring older plants produce medium-sized panicles of creamy white flowers that are followed by small raspberry pink berries on long stalks.

Chinese photinia grows moderately or fast (30-50 cm per year - soil conditions pending), and can be pruned from early spring until midsummer. Spring pruning encourages bushier and faster growth, summer pruning is ideal for shaping. Here in zone 6 we find it a place sheltered from strong, drying winds in winter. It needs moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil and mulching. Provide extra watering in hot summers and also in frost-free periods in the winter if the ground is not frozen. Hardy to about -23°C.

Last update 17-01-2018