Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ – A Classic Evergreen with Fiery Red Growth

The Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is one of the most popular and versatile evergreen shrubs, celebrated for its striking red new growth and its ability to provide year-round structure in the garden. With its glossy green mature leaves and bright scarlet young shoots, ‘Red Robin’ brings colour, drama, and contrast from spring through summer.

Perfect for hedging, screening, or as a statement plant in borders and containers, this hardy shrub is easy to grow, low-maintenance, and reliable in most garden settings. It’s a tried-and-true garden favourite for creating colourful backdrops and evergreen structure.

General Information

‘Red Robin’ is a hybrid between Photinia glabra and Photinia serratifolia, bred for ornamental value and strong garden performance.

• Habit: Upright, bushy evergreen shrub with a dense and leafy structure.

• Height & spread: Typically 3–4m tall and 2.5–3m wide, though it can be pruned to stay smaller.

• Foliage: Glossy, leathery green leaves with vivid red new shoots in spring and early summer. New growth can also be encouraged by pruning.

• Flowers: Clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in late spring, sometimes followed by red berries.

• Position: Prefers full sun or partial shade; best colour occurs in brighter positions.

• Soil: Thrives in fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates clay and chalk if not waterlogged.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland.

• Uses: Excellent for hedging, screening, specimen planting, or containers.

The combination of evergreen foliage, colourful new shoots, and seasonal flowers makes this a multi-purpose shrub suitable for many garden styles.

Care Guide

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is tough, adaptable, and easy to look after, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Planting

• When to plant: Best planted in spring or autumn, though container plants can be planted year-round if soil is workable.

• Depth & spacing: Plant at the same depth as the pot. For hedging, space plants 75–100cm apart.

• Preparation: Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to encourage strong growth.

Watering & Feeding

• Water regularly during the first year until plants are established.

• Once mature, it is moderately drought-tolerant but will produce more vibrant foliage with occasional watering in dry weather.

• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser to support healthy foliage and strong growth.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Lightly trim in spring or early summer to encourage a flush of red new growth.

• For hedges, trim annually after flowering to maintain shape.

• Avoid cutting into old wood – always prune back to leafy stems.

• Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in early spring.

• Mulch annually with compost or bark to retain moisture and improve soil.

Protection

• Fully hardy and resilient, though occasionally prone to leaf spot in damp conditions – improve airflow by avoiding overcrowding.

• Shelter from very strong winds, which may damage young shoots.

Why Choose Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’?

This well-loved variety combines striking colour with practicality, making it one of the most versatile evergreens for gardens.

• Vivid foliage: Bright scarlet new leaves in spring and summer.

• Year-round structure: Evergreen foliage provides colour and form all year.

• Multi-purpose: Ideal for hedges, screens, containers, or as a specimen shrub.

• Low-maintenance: Hardy, adaptable, and easy to grow.

• Wildlife value: Flowers attract pollinators, and berries provide food for birds.

The Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a timeless garden shrub, delivering colour, structure, and reliability in every season. Whether planted as a formal hedge, a bold specimen in borders, or a container feature on the patio, it offers gardeners a perfect balance of beauty and practicality.

• Size
  80- 100cm C5 ltr - P23

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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