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How to Grow Red Tip Photinia

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Red Tip Photinia

Photinia × fraseri

shrub

Red Tip Photinia is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub prized for its brilliant red new growth that matures to deep green. This hybrid shrub is popular as a landscape accent and screening plant, valued for its dramatic foliage color transitions throughout the growing season. It can reach 10-15 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide at maturity.

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Example Red Tip Photinia timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Red Tip Photinia

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Red Tip Photinia

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Tip Photinia dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily for best red coloration
💧
Water: Moderate water needs; water deeply 1-2 times weekly during establishment and dry periods. Mature plants are moderately drought-tolerant once established. Avoid waterlogged soil.
📏
Spacing: 36 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 2-3 years to reach landscape maturity
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury stem

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil
pH: 5.5-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Aged bark Perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 6b-10a; best in zones 8-9

6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

First 6-12 months

Young shrub with compact growth and frequent new red foliage flushes

Water consistently, mulch around base with 2-3 inches of organic mulch, prune lightly to encourage branching

2

Vegetative Growth

Year 1-3

Plant develops sturdy structure with multiple stems; new growth appears red/bronze, gradually darkening to glossy green

Prune to desired shape and size in early spring; remove any diseased foliage immediately; maintain consistent moisture

3

Mature Growth

Year 3 onwards

Well-established shrub with thick canopy; produces small white flowers in spring clusters (often hidden by foliage)

Thin interior branches for air circulation to prevent disease; prune as needed for size control; fertilize in spring with balanced shrub fertilizer

4

Flowering

2-4 weeks in spring

Small, fragrant white flowers appear in clusters throughout the canopy in spring

Deadhead spent flowers if desired, though they often drop naturally; flowers attract pollinators

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Japanese Hollies Camellia Loropetalum Nandina Skimmia Azaleas Variegated Pittosporum

Avoid planting near:

Photinia pyrifolia (other photinia species that may cross-pollinate and reduce vigor) Plants requiring dry conditions

Common Pests

  • Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; apply fungicide if severe; avoid overhead watering; mulch to prevent soil splash

  • Ensure good air circulation; avoid crowding; spray with neem oil or sulfur if needed; remove heavily infected leaves

  • Inspect regularly; spray with horticultural oil in early spring before growth flushes; prune out heavily infested branches

  • Prune out infected branches 12 inches below visible damage; disinfect tools between cuts; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer

  • Strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil spray; encourage beneficial insects

Uses

🏠

Screening and Privacy Hedges

Household

Red Tip Photinia's dense foliage and moderate growth rate make it excellent for creating living screens and privacy hedges. Plant in rows 3-4 feet apart for a dense hedge, pruning regularly to maintain shape. [source]

🏠

Accent Foliage Plant

Household

The striking red new growth provides seasonal color contrast in mixed borders and foundation plantings. Use as a focal point or repeated accent to draw the eye through landscape design. [source]

🎨

Floral Arrangements

Craft

Branches with vibrant red new growth are prized for cut flower arrangements and can last 1-2 weeks in water. The glossy foliage provides excellent support structure for arrangements. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Shelter

Wildlife

Dense branching provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small wildlife. Spring flowers attract pollinators, and berries may attract birds. [source]

Harvest Tips

Red Tip Photinia is grown for foliage rather than harvest. Prune branches for arrangements by cutting just above a leaf node in spring or early summer when new red growth is most vibrant. Pinch new growth tips to encourage bushier, more compact growth.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Red Tip Photinia is a hybrid between Photinia serrulata and Photinia glabra, created in New Zealand in the 1950s and originally marketed as 'Red Tip'.
  • 🌱 The intensity of red coloration is strongest in spring and fall; new growth flushes appear bright red, bronze, or copper depending on light, temperature, and genetics of the particular plant.
  • 🌱 Despite being called 'photinia,' it is not closely related to the Asian Photinia genus and is sometimes reclassified as Heteromeles × fraseri in modern taxonomy.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch pH
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