Photinia, as a group plants are native to North America and Asia. Photinia x fraseri is named because it was first discovered as a seedling in Fraser Nurseries in Birmingham Alabama in 1943.
The particular hybrid 'Red Robin' was bred in New Zealand and is the most popular of all the Photinias by a large margin. It retains the red leaves and at the same time is the most compact of them all.
This shrub is often under-rated principally because it is so widely grown. The RHS are quite clear that this is a shrub of great horticultural value, giving it an Award of Garden Merit.
An evergreen shrubby tree which, if not pruned, reaches a height of 4m with a similar spread. Red Robin grows at a rate of about 30cm per year when established. It responds very well to pruning and can easily be kept to a height 1.2m to 2.5m, making it a wonderfully versatile hedging plant.
Pruning Photinia is recommended twice a year. Once is after spring blooming and then again after autumn growth so that the shrub can be balanced or its size reduced.
It is also possible to prune ‘Red Robin’ at the end of winter. Pruning at this particular time will spur the growing of red leaves, but it may impair blooming.
Photinia can be shaped freely. You might see some shaped into as cones, balls, or columns…
Prefers a full sun position in well drained soils. They are rather hardy, can handle frosts but need extra moisture in the drier months.