Red Tip Photinia | Photinia x Fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Red Tip Photinia is a striking evergreen shrub loved for its brilliant flushes of glossy red new foliage. As the young leaves mature, they gradually change from vibrant scarlet-red to deep green, creating a beautiful two-tone effect that adds colour and movement to the garden. In Cape Town’s climate, the strongest flushes of new red growth generally appear during spring and again in summer, while clusters of small white flowers can appear in spring, sometimes followed by small red berries.

Fast-growing and naturally bushy, Red Tip Photinia is an excellent choice for hedges, screening, privacy planting, feature shrubs and formal garden designs. It responds well to pruning, making it easy to shape into a dense hedge, while its attractive foliage also works beautifully as a standalone ornamental shrub. Plant it in full sun to semi-shade in fertile, well-drained soil. Full sun generally produces the strongest colour in the new foliage, although the plant also tolerates semi-shade.

Why  You'll Love It:

• Brilliant red new foliage providing an eye-catching burst of seasonal colour.
• Excellent screening plant for creating privacy and structure in the garden.
• Responds beautifully to pruning, making it ideal for neat, dense hedges.
• Evergreen foliage provides year-round garden interest.

Plant & Care 

Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to semi-shade, with more sun helping to produce stronger red new growth. Water regularly while establishing, then reduce watering once the plant is well established, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering. Enrich poor soil with compost when planting, and feed in spring if growth or foliage colour suggests the plant needs a boost. Prune in spring or summer as needed to maintain shape; trimming established plants encourages fresh shoots with colourful red new foliage. Avoid planting in areas with poor drainage, particularly during Cape Town’s wet winter months.

Did You Know?

The spectacular red leaves are new growth rather than flowers. Regular pruning encourages the plant to produce fresh shoots, meaning a well-maintained hedge can rewards you with repeated flashes of vibrant red throughout the growing season.