Photinia.

I've admired the photinia from afar, without ever having one, for a number of years now. Beautiful foliage, especially at this time of year. The problem I have with them is they seem to grow big, and can be quite leggy too. I prefer my shrubs to be small and compact, so I tend to go for dwarf varieties if anything.

I didn't even know a dwarf variety of photinia existed but apparently there is one called "red robin". However, the bit of research I've done suggests the red robin isn't much of a dwarf at all, in fact it can get quite big. Why my research tells me it is a dwarf variety is puzzling me.

Can anyone clear this up? Is there a genuine dwarf variety or would I have to get a standard one and maybe be a little harsh when pruning to keep it manageable? Do they handle pruning well?

 

There is a Red Robin...but you would be best with Little Red Robin.
Photinia Fraseri Little Red Robin. Dwarf Red Robin Shrubs.

 

That's the one, fantastic, thanks for that. Just need to get my hands on one now!

 

You're most welcome.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that you manage to get one.
Keep us updated.

 

Incidently, those prices in that link seem excessive? Is that the going rate or should I be able to get them a lot cheaper than that?

 

Photinia fraseri 'Little Red Robin' plants | Thompson & Morgan



Photinia ''Little Red Robin'' - Compact Evergreen Shrub - Perfect for Patio

 

Have you noticed it’s a great year for the RedRobin ,they seem to be flourishing everywhere.

 

Yes, they're absolutely stunning at this time of year. Pieris "forest flame" too, another stunner early on in the season.

 

In spring ‘21, when I didn’t have a garden, I saw a fantastic display of a Photinia called Crackling Red in my local Dobbies. The colour was mesmerisingly bright red, rather than the to me more browny-red of the Red Robin. Of course, I haven’t been able to get it anywhere since then !

 

Photinia Fraseri Cracklin Red Photinia Cracklin Red Hedging

Is this the one @Kitte?

 

Yes, I do have Paramount Plants on my iPad, I find them very expensive though, and I want to see what I buy! The picture doesn’t do Crackling Red justice, I had a gorgeous picture, but must have deleted it. My friend has a lovely Caree Rouge, which is a bushy form, that is looking lovely at the moment, so I’m going to look for them……...when it stops raining !!!

 

This is Caree Rouge, more like Crackling Red !

 

Nice. I'm going hunting for "little red robin" this weekend. I'm so glad I've eventually found a dwarf version of this stunning shrub.

 

Luckily, it's a shrub that you can butcher if it gets unruly. I have a couple and I alternate the hard prune year on year

 

Hi kittie i have caree rouge i had a cutting from a freind she put it in a pot and grew it till it was a few inches high and gave it to me within 5years i have repotted it twice it has more red leaves on it than green it is beautiful