Photinia Red Robin trimming
BenDover
Posts: 488
Ive got a Red Robin which I have to trim back every year because no matter how much I do it, it always puts on masses of new growth again and ends up at either the same height or taller then it was previously. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to trim it back in Autumn last year before winter set in and also in Spring I missed the window of opportunity because of being busy with other things. Now the Red Robin is bigger than ever. I feel really sorry for my neighbours as it blocks out light from their garden And it casts a shadow over my borders so everything underneath struggles. It was planted by previous owners of the house I live and I'm loath to remove it because it does provide privacy - just needs to be trimmed right back again.
Is now the completely wrong time to do it, and should I wait until Autumn? It's currently in flower (which is the first time it's done that because I usually have trimmed it back enough to stop it from doing that) and it's just finished it flush of red leaves which are now slowly going green. It's dropped a ton of old leaves on the grounds, which annoys me no end as I have to pick them up off the borders as slugs and snails hide in the leaves that don't rot down like normal leaves. Really is quite an annoying shrub overall and I only tolerate it for the privacy it provides.
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Tim - you sound as if you don't really want it! Why not replace it with something you really like? If privacy is a bit of an issue, you could always put a temporary screen of trellis or that willow/bamboo type stuff on a roll until the shrub you plant is doing the job.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Fairygirl. It would be a nice thing to take out but it's too well established and it would be a lot of work to dig out of the ground. The trunk is very thick. Also, the height I have it when under control is still about 10 / 12 feet, but that's the height my neighbour likes it at because it gives them privacy too without losing too much light. It's currently nearing about 18/20 foot and it's grown that much in just over 12 months (last ime I trimmed it was March 2014).
It's sometimes a bit daunting to take a shrub or tree out because of that sudden empty space but it can be a real revelation.
Perhaps you'll change your mind Tim
I wasn't much help with your original query though! I've never grown Red Robin, but I would have thought there's no reason why you can't prune now. I expect someone else who has grown it will be along to advise properly though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I pruned mine in March and it is covered in flowers and red leaves now, I did look online and it suggested that they are pruned in spring or autumn so give it a go now you could cut it back hard and if it lives it's a bonus if it dies start again, by putting it off it will just get worse.