Photinia × fraseri – Red Tip Photinia, Fraser Photinia
- Hakan Sener
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Explore Photinia × fraseri (Red Tip Photinia) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.
Photinia × fraseri | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: Red Tip Photinia, Fraser Photinia
Family: Rosaceae
Appearance: An evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, dark green leaves that emerge bright red. Clusters of small white flowers bloom in spring.
Type: Perennial
Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen
Layer: Shrub / Low Tree
Root System: Fibrous root system, moderately deep
Height: 3–5 meters (occasionally up to 7 meters)
Width: 2–4 meters
Lifespan: Long-lived perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Hermaphroditic
Pollinator: Attracts bees and other pollinating insects
Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
Photinia × fraseri | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Hybrid origin (Photinia glabra × Photinia serratifolia); cultivated widely
Companionship: Commonly grown with other ornamental shrubs, adaptable to mixed hedges
Invasive Range: Not considered invasive, though may self-seed in suitable conditions
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7–9
Minimum Chill Hours Required: Not specified
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: Moderate tolerance
Drought: Moderate tolerance once established
Shade: Moderate tolerance
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: Moderate tolerance
Maritime: Low to moderate tolerance
Air Pollution: High tolerance
Fire: Moderate tolerance
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Moisture: Prefers moist but well-drained soil
Soil Type: Tolerant of a range of soil types – loamy, clay, or sandy
Soil pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)
Propagation
Seeds: Rarely propagated by seed due to hybrid nature
Cuttings: Commonly propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Photinia × fraseri | Functional Uses and Benefits
Edible: Not edible
Medicinal: No well-documented medicinal uses
Cosmetics: Not used in cosmetics
Animal Feed: Not suitable for forage or fodder
Fiber: Not utilized for fiber
Timber: Not used for timber
Firewood: Not suitable for firewood
Wind Break: Frequently used as a windbreak or privacy hedge
Fence: Commonly grown as a living fence or screen
Cover Crop: Not used as a cover crop
Mulch: Not typically used as mulch
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available
Pollinator Attractor: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators
Pest Repellent: Not noted as pest repellent
Wildlife Supporter: Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds
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