Plant library · Conifers & Evergreens
Photinia x fraseri
Red Tip Photinia is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that brings a flush of bright red new growth to a planting before settling into a green backdrop. At about 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, it occupies the upper layer of a border or screen and can cast meaningful shade on lower planting nearby. Mid-spring bloom adds a brief seasonal event within its year-round structure.
Use Red Tip Photinia where a substantial evergreen mass is wanted: along a property edge, at the back of a deep border, or as a screen set well away from doors, windows, and narrow walks. Keep its broadening canopy outside path clearance and leave a reachable edge for pruning and leaf cleanup. Avoid relying on a densely packed single-species hedge; air movement around individual shrubs is an important part of planning for this plant.[1]
Plant on 6-foot centers for a connected screen, recognizing that an 8-foot mature spread will create overlapping foliage rather than open gaps. Run the planting line at least 4 feet back from a fence or wall where possible, so the shrubs can develop without pressing into the boundary and can be reached from both sides. In a bed, reserve the foreground for plants that can tolerate the shade and root competition of a tall evergreen row.
Give this shrub a full-sun position with well-drained soil and moderate watering. Keep irrigation directed to the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, and do not place it in a low spot that stays wet. A site with open exposure and room between surrounding shrubs helps keep the planting from becoming a closed, humid wall of foliage.[1]
Bright red new leaves make the strongest color display in spring, followed by mid-spring flowers. Treat the shrub as a permanent structural element rather than a temporary seasonal accent: its 12-foot height and evergreen canopy remain part of the garden’s sightlines through winter. Place it behind lower spring displays so fresh red growth reads above them without taking over the bed.
Leaf spot is a serious design consideration, especially where plants are crowded, foliage stays wet, or humid conditions persist. Build in circulation, avoid overhead watering, and allow access for winter thinning and cleanup of fallen leaves. A mixed screen or a more openly spaced planting limits the risk that one problem turns an entire continuous row into a maintenance burden.[1]
Editorial content updated 2026-07-20.