Photinia fraseri Red Robin Blood - Christmas Berry

The Photinia Fraseri 'Red Robin Blood' can be considered an improvement on the best-selling Red Robin that it surpasses with even redder spring coloration of its young leaves, ranging from bright red to dark red. The foliage then turns to a very aesthetic dark green, perfect in flower beds to enhance light flowering. Its own flowers are white-cream in spring, in the form of corymbs measuring 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter. Forming a tuft 2.50 to 3 m (8 to 10ft) tall and 1.50 to 2 m (5 to 7ft) wide, this beautiful bush can be planted as a standalone or in a flower bed, or especially as a hedge as it tolerates repeated pruning very well. Hardy down to -15°C (5°F), it grows in full sun or partial shade in most soils and tolerates the atmospheric pollution of our cities very well.

The Photinia belongs to the large botanical family of Rosaceae. This family gives us most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Apple trees, Pear trees, Plum trees, Apricot trees, Peach trees, etc.), but also many ornamental plants (Hawthorn, Cotoneaster, Rose of course, Prunus) as well as many wild plants that brighten up our countryside. The Photinia (x) fraseri or Fraser's Photinia is an old horticultural creation born in 1940 in the United States, resulting from the cross-breeding between the Photinia glabra, native to Japan, and the Photinia serrulata (or P. serratifolia), native to China. This hybrid has given rise to some famous cultivars, including 'Red Robin', planted on a large scale in our parks and gardens. In recent years, some beautiful improvements have been born, more compact, more colorful, and more disease-resistant.

'Red Robin Blood' is a variety very similar to the star variety 'Red Robin' but even redder, as suggested by the addition of blood in its name. In spring, it produces young shoots with intensely red leaves, ranging from bright red to dark red, which contrast well with the dark green older leaves. From April, white-cream corymbs of flowers appear, measuring 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter, and are very decorative against the glossy foliage. The young leaves gradually evolve into an elegant dark green.
This evergreen bush is particularly well suited for hedge making, as its habit is slightly more upright than that of Red Robin, while also tolerating pruning as well as it does. When planted alone, it will reach a height of 2.50 to 3 m (8 to 10ft), or even a little more, with a width of 1.5 to 2 m (5 to 7ft), dimensions that can be reduced by annual pruning. The flamboyant spectacle it offers in spring also encourages planting it in a flower bed in association with other plants. Its beautiful foliage, which turns dark green after spring, will then serve as a backdrop for light flowering or variegated foliage.

'Red Robin Blood' tolerates all types of well-drained soil, deep, moist to dry, neutral, or even reasonably acidic or chalky. It grows well in sunny or semi-shady situations. It is an easy-to-cultivate and easy-to-maintain bush that can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F) when exposed to the sun. It is truly the epitome of an easy plant, requiring little maintenance, limited to summer pruning and a few waterings in hot periods, knowing that once well-rooted, it is quite resistant to drought. This Photinia Red Robin Blood will create superb hedges when combined with other evergreens with decorative foliage, such as the very pretty Berberis darwinii, with small dark green spiny leaves and magnificent yellow-orange flowering in April-May. The Cherry laurel Greentorch with its very upright habit will also be a good companion with its foliage of a frank green color that is very different from that of our Photinia.

If you plant it in a flower bed, choose plants with summer interest, such as the Indian Lilacs, whose crepe-like flowering with often vibrant colors enchant the garden. For a strong contrast, prefer a variety with purple foliage, such as Rhapsody In Blue, with pinkish-purple flowers. Your Photinia will also go well with white spring-flowering shrubs such as Spiraeas (S. arguta, S. thunbergii, or S. nipponica Snowmound). And to enjoy an exquisite fragrance, add a Philadelphus coronarius whose simple white flowers will perfume your garden in May-June.