Photinia 'Kolmavoca' MAGICAL VOLCANO

MAGICAL VOLCANO is a new photinia bred by Peter R.Kolster from the Netherlands in 2009. It is a cross between popular Fraser’s hedging photinia and Chinese photinia serratifolia. It is renowned for extremely serrated leaf margins, compact growth, and longer lasting colour of new shoots. It was patented under PP25024 in 2014. Most often you come across photinia hedges or specimen shrubs, however, tree forms are becoming more and more popular. They are renowned for red new leaves and offer good screening at a desirable height blocking views from neighbouring windows if privacy is why you look for an evergreen tree.

MAGICAL VOLCANO photinia has ovate, 7-10 cm large, evergreen leaves with conspicuously serrated margins. They emerge striking red and change to garnet red or burgundy red with some coppery-brown tones later. In 4-8 weeks they mature to dark olive green. New leaves emerge 2 or 3 times a year and before winter the whole plant gains coppery red tones until the arrival of warm days of spring when they turn green again. In mid spring older plants produce medium-sized panicles of creamy white flowers.

As every standard tree it needs a good support to protect the stem from moving, especially in wind. It can be removed after 3 years if the tree is well established. There is usually a bamboo stick attached to the tree stem when you buy the plant. It needs to be removed before you tie the stem into your new support.

In zone 6 we should find it a place sheltered from strong, drying winds in winter. It grows moderately to 2-3m tall and can be pruned from early spring until midsummer. It needs moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil and mulching. Provide extra watering in hot summers and in frost-free periods in the winter, too, if the ground is not frozen. Hardy to about -23°C.

Last update 26-02-2020