Fotinia

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Rosaceae

Order

Rosales

Genus

Photinia

Species

x phrasers

Description

Polyennial evergreen shrub or small tree with an upright habit and globular crown. Versatile in use, it is suitable both as a single specimen or to create hedges and plant barriers in the garden, and for terraces in planters and large pots. Ornamental value is conferred by the foliage, which is ruby red at first and then shiny green. It adapts to different soil and climatic conditions, tolerating hot and cold winter weather.

Variety description

Shrubby plant that can be grown as a small tree with round, compact foliage. Very hardy and adaptable to many types of soil persistent evergreen leaves that are initially red and then turn a glossy emerald green when mature. Excellent creamy white and lightly scented flowering. Small plant that grows to around 3 - 4 metres; as a shrub it should be pruned regularly to maintain its shape and size. Used in many ways: as a tree for small gardens or small urban spaces, hedge, environmental mitigation barrier, single bush or in scrub.

Curiosities and special features

The generic term comes from the Greek photeinÏs meaning bright or shining in relation to the lustre of the leaves, while the specific epithet is reminiscent of Fraser's Nusery in Birmingham (USA), from which the hybrid is derived.

Origin and distribution

Natural hybrid obtained by crossing P. glabra × P. serrulata; the former species native to southern China, northern Indochina and central-southern Japan, the latter native to central-southern China and the Philippines. It became widespread from 1955 onwards and was immediately appreciated for its versatility of use and its young, bright red leaves.

Leaf

Leaf has an oblong lamina.

Flowering period

It flowers from mid- to late spring for a duration of 15 to 25 days.

Inflorescence

It has corymb-shaped inflorescences, borne at the apex of the branches.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, at first ruby red in colour, they then take on shiny green tones on the upper page and lighter on the lower one.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 1 to 4 m, depending on the growing conditions.

Lifespan

Polyennial evergreen shrub.

Where to plant

Versatile, it is suitable as a plant for flowerbeds, traffic islands, planters, large flowerbeds and road roundabouts, vertical walls, open fields, hedges, terraces

Stem

The stem is semi-woody with smooth grey-green bark.

Flower

It flowers from mid- to late spring, with a flowering period of between 15 and 25 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium to vigorous growing shrub.

Plant habit

The developed habitus is bushy assurgent, with compact and globular foliage.

Branching

Abundant branching allows high foliage density with a compact and tidy end result.

PH

It requires a soil or substrate pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting at the end of autumn, prepare the soil by removing any weeds and bulky pebbles, and also carry out a background fertilisation with specific granular fertiliser for ornamental plants.

Sun exposure

Exposures in bright shade, full sun allow for better vegetative growth.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C. It adapts well to hot summer weather as well as cold winter weather.

Use

Due to its versatility of use and rusticity, it is suitable as a plant in:

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor landscape design Landscaping Plant for purifying the air in rooms

Hardiness

Ahighly rustic plant, it adapts to different soil and climate conditions.

Soil

For proper vegetative growth the ideal soil for photinia should be light and well draining; it is important that the planting and rooting soil is soft, organic and fertilised. For pots and planters, use a substrate based on peat and perlite.

Difficulty

The easy cultivation and low management effort add value to the plant.

Growing tips

Some useful cultivation measures:

Balanced fertilisation Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Plant that adapts very well to cold winter climates and also thrives in frozen soil conditions. Requires abundant but no stagnant watering Correct pruning

Planting

An average planting density of 2 plants/sq.m. is recommended. When transplanting take care not to damage the roots and position the plant with the collar outside the soil surface. Plant the young plants in loam or loose, light soil to promote root development; to avoid the formation of air pockets, compact the soil around the collar, and water without producing waterlogging.

Pruning

Only after the juvenile phase can progressive pruning be carried out according to the desired shape and size. Photinia is a plant that must be guided and trained in its growth in order to maintain a natural but compact form and to stimulate the formation of new leaves.

Propagation

Propagation is by cuttings, grafting and layering.

Repotting

Repotting should be carried out in late winter or early spring if the plant needs more space to grow, using suitably sized pots or planters and high-quality substrate. It is also necessary to renew the potting soil every two years or at least to supplement with new soil and organic fertilisers.

Watering

After transplanting, water the soil thoroughly without causing harmful waterlogging. Afterwards, carry out constant and balanced watering, even several times a week if the season is very hot, preventing over-watering and dryness. Photinia does not tolerate over-watering with waterlogging, which can lead to reduced root and foliage growth. It is advisable to apply water directly to the soil or substrate, avoiding wetting the aerial part of the plant.

Fertilising

It is a demanding plant in terms of fertilisation. If grown in the garden, it should be fertilised abundantly during spring and early summer with a complex, iron-rich fertiliser, to be applied directly to the soil. In summer, reduce nitrogenous fertilisation (N) and increase phosphorus and potassium (P,K).

Pet safety

Toxic leaves and berries.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

The leaves and berries are toxic if ingested.

Tip

Plant that requires a good dose of fertilisation both when young and when mature. Continuous and regular flowering depends on the nutrients and minerals in the growing soil. Also use fertilisers containing iron and magnesium to optimise flowering. In summer, reduce nitrogen (N) fertilisation and increase phosphorus and potassium (P,K). Also use humic acids that favour assimilation and flowering time and colour intensity, as well as slightly acidifying soils.