The red robin plant belongs to the Rosaceae family, and Genus Photinia. Characteristics Of The Plant Most shrubs will grow happily in containers, but they will be much more demanding on feeding and watering than shrubs in the ground would be. They will also need potting on every couple of years so that they don’t suffocate or become stunted in their pot. The Photinia Red Robin is an ornamental evergreen hedge plant that grows in the eastern part of the US. Its name is derived from its young, glossy, red leaves which change to dark green as they mature. These leaves grow up to 10cm in length.

Just avoid planting Photinia during arid and very hot periods in the summer, or when the ground is frozen in winter. We have a detailed guide on how and when to prune Photinias, but in short, we recommend pruning them no more than twice a year (though feel free to use sharp secateurs to snip off any wayward stems throughout the year) and making sure to trim the interior branches to promote air circulation within the plant. Photinias are prone to fungal diseases, so accurate pruning is important for disease prevention. Read all about the pests, diseases and common problems with Photinias. Can you take cuttings from Photinia Red Robin? Photinia, technically Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a popular red-leaved cultivar of Photinia, also known as ‘Christmas Berry’.Although shrubs are usually very robust garden plants, they can sometimes start to decline with no apparent or obvious reason. Also known as ‘Cassini’, this cultivar has rose-pink tinted new growth and marbled, creamy-white leaf variegation. It has a denser growth form than Red Robin and is particularly suitable for hedging. New shrubs should be watered whenever there are dry weather conditions during the first two growing seasons. A spring and autumn feed with blood, fish and bone over the same period will help produce a good root system, and keeping the area around the plant weed-free by mulching will also help with establishment. After two years they will rarely require much further attention other than normal pruning or cutting to maintain the desired stature and shape.

Leaf spot is not the only possible cause of blotchy leaves and leaf drop, so careful diagnosis is necessary. In many cases, defoliation can be caused by environmental conditions such as prolonged humidity or exposure to cold, drying winds. Honey Fungus So while it can grow well against a garden boundary fence or wall, it should not be hemmed into a corner, or have planting around it which is too dense. Planting In cases of only partial damage, the spotted leaves can be removed and burned as soon as they’re noticed, but in cases of more severe damage there are two options: His knowledge is encyclopedic. After training at the under the then Ministry of Agriculture, Bill spent over twenty years at the Department of Biological and Environmental Services at Lancaster University. Now, he's a regular course tutor at Alston Hall, Longridge and Lancaster Adult College. Quite a number of Photinas Christopher have been losing their leaves which I feel in some respect is down to the wet conditions and, also contrasting temperatures - during March/April we had warm days but night time frosts - which, again will have caused leaf drop. I do feel that your Photinas will start to produce new shoots but, with your plants being six feet high you will need to keep an eye on the watering if we do have a dry summer and also it would be worthwhile top dressing with a general base fertiliser such as Fish Blood and Bone Meal or GrowMore. With regard to pruning you can prune through the summer months to encourage new shoots but, I would be inclined depending on weather conditions, to wait until April/May time.

Established shrubs will not normally require feeding, but if they suffer from excessive and sudden leaf drop or are clearly not doing well, then a top dressing with blood, fish and bone may provide a boost.

Photinia do well in containers, with some of the dwarf or smaller varieties such as ‘Little Red Robin’ being ideal. A single ‘Red Robin’ will grow quite happily in a container with a diameter of 50cm or more, though care must be taken to use a pot of suitable size, shape and weight to avoid a top-heavy shrub blowing over in the wind. Standard multi-purpose compost or a John Innes No 3 can be used. Pruning Red Robin depends on how big and how tall you want the bush or photinia hedge to be. Without pruning, it will grow to about 4m high and 13ft wide after seven years. A photinia red robin is a self-sufficient shrub that requires little to no watering, but if there is a severe drought it will need water. It still needs no additional nutrients and grows well on the average ground. Pruning should be done 2 or 3 times a year.This shrub thrives in sunny weather and can tolerate periods of drought. It can also tolerate some shade, but when the shade is quite dense, it makes the plant more susceptible to diseases. In cold climates, the plant thrives in the full sun. However, in hotter climates, it thrives under partial shade and is at it’s best when it is planted facing the north or east. Hardy Photinia isn’t often bothered by pests, but it’s possible you’ll notice the following: Moth Caterpillars Drain the water from the pot and wrap it with a thin plastic film or dip it in cling wrap to secure. Plant markers will work as good holders for this. In a year, Red Robin can grow up to 30cm (1ft), so keep it under control and encourage bright young leaves by cutting stems down by 15cm (6in), just above the outward-facing buds.

The foliage of the red robin plant is evergreen, and its habit is bushy. The plant is hardy in most places in the UK, even in severe winter. How To Grow The Photinia Red Robin Shrub When is the best time to prune our Photinia Red Robin Trees? We have planted 6 trees, which seem to have taken well, and are now shooting. We are trying to make a hedge with them, but do not want to traumatise them, as they were only planted last autumn. Any advice would be appreciated. Bill replies... This shrub can be planted at any point in the year, all year round, as long as it isn't frozen. You should water well during times of dry conditions. Before May and November are ideal for planting this type of plant. What P. x fraseri‘Red Robin’ will need is a fertile, humus-rich type of soil, which is clay, loam or sand, and which is neutral or acidic. All plants growing in containers need more regular feeding. Once the nutrients in the planting compost are exhausted – no more than six weeks – the plant should be fed once a month from mid March to mid August. Watering a Container Planted Photinia ‘Red Robin’

How To Grow The Photinia Red Robin Shrub

If you like to keep your garden tidy be aware that Photinia Red Robin can drop it’s leaves throughout the year, which can require frequent sweeping up. Fallen leaves can also provide a safe haven for slugs and snails.