Photinia

The genus Photinia consists of about 40 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees. The leaves are alternate, often leathery to the touch. In deciduous species, the foliage becomes red in autumn. In evergreens, it is also often red, and at a time when the leaves are just blooming. In spring and summer, white 5-petaled flowers bloom, collected in large inflorescences - corymbs or panicles. The fruits are bright, small, round or oval, and turn red when ripe. Photinia beauvardiana (Photinia beauvardiana) is a deciduous, resistant tree-shaped species. In May-June, the plant is covered with corymbose inflorescences, in place of which dark red fruits are formed in summer. In autumn, the foliage gets a decorative bright color. The 'Wonderful' variety of this species has larger leaves and flowers. Bentham's photinia (P. bentamiana) is an evergreen frost-resistant species with copper-colored leaves. This plant is not suitable for calcareous soils. Davidson's photinia (P. davidsoniae) is an evergreen species that requires a sheltered place when growing. In spring, reddish shoots form on it, which later turn glossy and dark green. In May, flowers bloom, and fruits are rarely formed. Photinia x fraseri is an evergreen hybrid bred by crossing the smooth photinia (P. glabra) and the saw-toothed or Chinese photinia (P. serrulata), two evergreen species in which young shoots are red and inflorescences are white. Grown shoots have a copper-red color, old leaves are leathery, glossy, dark green in color. This is a fairly frost-resistant plant, especially if it grows in a protected place. Here are some varieties and decorative forms: 'Birmingham' has shiny shoots; young leaves of 'Red Robin' are bright red; 'Strong' - very frost-resistant plant.

The genus Photinia consists of about 40 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees. The leaves are alternate, often leathery to the touch. In deciduous species, the foliage becomes red in autumn. In evergreens, it is also often red, and at a time when the leaves are just blooming. In spring and summer, white 5-petaled flowers bloom, collected in large inflorescences - corymbs or panicles. The fruits are bright, small, round or oval, and turn red when ripe.

Photinia beauvardiana (Photinia beauvardiana) is a deciduous, resistant tree-shaped species. In May-June, the plant is covered with corymbose inflorescences, in place of which dark red fruits are formed in summer. In autumn, the foliage gets a decorative bright color. The 'Wonderful' variety of this species has larger leaves and flowers.

Bentham's photinia (P. bentamiana) is an evergreen frost-resistant species with copper-colored leaves. This plant is not suitable for calcareous soils.

Davidson's photinia (P. davidsoniae) is an evergreen species that requires a sheltered place when growing. In spring, reddish shoots form on it, which later turn glossy and dark green. In May, flowers bloom, and fruits are rarely formed.

Photinia x fraseri is an evergreen hybrid bred by crossing the smooth photinia (P. glabra) and the saw-toothed or Chinese photinia (P. serrulata), two evergreen species in which young shoots are red and inflorescences are white. Grown shoots have a copper-red color, old leaves are leathery, glossy, dark green in color. This is a fairly frost-resistant plant, especially if it grows in a protected place. Here are some varieties and decorative forms: 'Birmingham' has shiny shoots; young leaves of 'Red Robin' are bright red; 'Strong' - very frost-resistant plant.

Cultivation

Photinia is an open-ground plant. It is used in parks and gardens: in single plantings and small groups. Photinia is decorative in all seasons due to the color of the leaves, large white inflorescences and bright fruits. In pots, you can grow it only at the earliest stage of development. Photinia is planted permanently in autumn (mainly in cold climates) or in spring. Deciduous species do not like calcareous soil, while evergreens are indifferent to this indicator. Pruning is not necessary, except when you need to remove dry, damaged or randomly growing branches.

Photinia is an open-ground plant. It is used in parks and gardens: in single plantings and small groups. Photinia is decorative in all seasons due to the color of the leaves, large white inflorescences and bright fruits.

In pots, you can grow it only at the earliest stage of development. Photinia is planted permanently in autumn (mainly in cold climates) or in spring. Deciduous species do not like calcareous soil, while evergreens are indifferent to this indicator. Pruning is not necessary, except when you need to remove dry, damaged or randomly growing branches.

Location

Photinia need a place in the open sun and (especially for low-resistant species) well protected.

Temperature

There are both relatively frost-resistant species (for example, Bovar photinia) and tender ones (for example, the sparsely distributed photinia prefab). The temperature for frost-resistant species, however, should not fall below -15 °C, and for more delicate plants, a temperature below -5 °C is unacceptable.

Watering

In the hottest months, these plants need frequent watering, but water should not stagnate in the soil.

Reproduction

Photinia is propagated by semi-woody cuttings (this year's branch with a "heel"), which are taken in the summer and planted to root in the soil, which is a mixture of sand and peat. Cuttings should overwinter in a closed, lighted, but unheated room. Rooted cuttings are planted singly in cups with a diameter of 10 cm. In the future, they must be periodically transferred to larger and larger containers, then finally planted in the fall or spring of the next year.

Diseases

Some fungi can cause spots on the leaves. The infection is eliminated with the help of fungicides: copper-containing or based on dithiocarbamate. With oidium, white powdery spots appear on the leaves; in this case, treatment is carried out with preparations based on sulfur or karathane. Worms are eliminated with the help of anticoccidal drugs.

Acquisition

Plants of the genus Photinia are available in specialized gardening centers and nurseries. Choose the types and decorative forms that are best suited to your growing conditions (climate and soil type). The selected specimens should still be small, well-formed, and healthy.