Photinia 'Red Robin', also known simply as Red Tip Photinia, is a bold and popular evergreen hedging plant prized for its vibrant red new growth, glossy foliage, and neat, upright habit. Fast-growing and highly decorative, it’s an ideal choice for creating a hedge that brings both colour and structure to gardens throughout the year.
Perfect for formal or informal hedging, Red Robin adds an instant wow factor to borders, driveways, and front gardens.
Growing Conditions
Photinia 'Red Robin' thrives in well-drained soils, including loam, chalk, or sandy soil, and performs best in full sun to light shade. While tolerant of a range of conditions, it will colour most vibrantly when planted in sunny, sheltered locations. Once established, it's drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
Where to Plant It
Ideal for decorative boundary hedges, screening, or garden dividers, Red Robin suits both modern and traditional settings. Use it for vivid colour contrast, mixed evergreen hedging, or to bring height and movement to planting schemes. It’s also suitable for container planting when space is limited.
Foliage, Flowers & Colour
Its standout feature is the bright red flush of young leaves, which gradually mature to a deep, glossy green. In spring, mature plants may produce clusters of small white flowers, followed by red berries, though flowering is less frequent on regularly clipped hedges. The contrast of new and old foliage provides year-round interest and texture.
Size & Growth
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Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (30–50 cm per year)
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Ultimate Height: Easily maintained at 1.5–3 metres
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Spacing: 2–3 plants per metre
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Time to Establish: 2–4 years for full coverage
