I do believe Photinia, especially as a hedge, has got to be one of the ugliest shrubs available. To my mind, it seems to have replaced the brutish Leylandii. It is ubiquitous! As a hedge, it does nothing to enhance a planting scheme with its dreadful 'red' leaves. It has no use for wild life either for cover, nesting or a food source.
If you must plant Photinia Red Robin, the only way it works is as one small tree in a woodland garden amongst, for example, Magnolias, Acers and Amelanchier.But yards and yards of it! No!
Different strokes: different folks! I love the spike of red in spring. But they can look ratty. Four or so planted about six feet apart can look quite nice. Ubiquity can diminish some of the charm of a plant. And even uniformity. Many can occasionally look worse. I think I rather variety. You can have more than one of the same plant in different situations for interest.
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I do believe Photinia, especially as a hedge, has got to be one of the ugliest shrubs available. To my mind, it seems to have replaced the brutish Leylandii. It is ubiquitous! As a hedge, it does nothing to enhance a planting scheme with its dreadful 'red' leaves. It has no use for wild life either for cover, nesting or a food source.
If you must plant Photinia Red Robin, the only way it works is as one small tree in a woodland garden amongst, for example, Magnolias, Acers and Amelanchier.But yards and yards of it! No!
Different strokes: different folks! I love the spike of red in spring. But they can look ratty. Four or so planted about six feet apart can look quite nice. Ubiquity can diminish some of the charm of a plant. And even uniformity. Many can occasionally look worse. I think I rather variety. You can have more than one of the same plant in different situations for interest.
what causes the red tips to lose their leaves in the spring?
The red foliage often turns green I think, ms.G - but do you mean yours is losing foliage? The new foliage can be damaged by frost.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...