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Red Tip Photinia

Q: How fast does Red Tip Photinia grow?

Red Tip Photinia is a fast-growing evergreen shrub, often adding 1–2 feet of growth per year under ideal conditions. This makes it a popular choice for homeowners who want a hedge that fills in quickly. Its rapid growth makes it a strong alternative to slower hedging plants like boxwood. With regular watering and fertilization, Red Tip Photinia will establish quickly and form a dense, colorful screen for year-round privacy.

Q: How far apart should I plant Red Tip Photinia for a hedge?

For a dense privacy hedge, plant Red Tip Photinia shrubs 5–8 feet apart on center. Closer spacing will create a quicker screen, while wider spacing allows for individual plants to stand out more naturally. This spacing ensures that the shrubs will grow together into a solid, evergreen wall while also maintaining proper airflow. Proper spacing is especially important to reduce overcrowding and to keep the hedge healthy long-term.

Q: How big does Red Tip Photinia get at maturity?

At full size, Red Tip Photinia can grow 10–15 feet tall and 8–10 feet wide, making it one of the larger evergreen hedge shrubs available. Its size makes it ideal for substantial privacy barriers, windbreaks, and property borders. If space is limited, Red Tip Photinia can be pruned regularly to maintain a smaller shape. Whether left to grow naturally or trimmed into a formal hedge, it delivers evergreen density with seasonal color highlights.

Q: Is Red Tip Photinia deer resistant?

Yes, Red Tip Photinia is considered moderately deer-resistant, as its leathery evergreen leaves are less appealing to browsing deer compared to softer plants like arborvitae. While not completely deer-proof, it generally fares well in landscapes with light to moderate deer activity. For areas with heavy deer pressure, combining Red Tip Photinia with highly deer-resistant plants such as holly or juniper can further reduce browsing damage. Its resilience makes it a dependable choice for evergreen privacy hedges.

Q: What are the best uses for Red Tip Photinia in landscaping?

Red Tip Photinia is best known as a hedge or privacy screen shrub, but its vibrant red new growth also makes it a landscape accent. It works beautifully as a property border, windbreak, or mass planting for large landscapes. Its adaptability also makes it a strong choice for foundation plantings, mixed evergreen borders, and commercial landscapes where durability and fast growth are priorities. Its combination of seasonal color, evergreen density, and low maintenance makes it one of the most versatile shrubs available.

Photinia x fraseri

“The Red Tip Photinia is one of the most striking hedge plants you can grow. Its vibrant red new growth really sets it apart from other evergreens, and it grows fast enough to give you a lush hedge in no time. I recommend it to customers who want a colorful, reliable privacy screen that stands out in the landscape without requiring heavy maintenance.”

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Red Tip Photinia – Fast-Growing Evergreen Hedge with Vibrant Red Foliage

A colorful evergreen for privacy and beauty.
The Red Tip Photinia (Photinia × fraseri) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub prized for its striking red new foliage that matures to a deep, glossy green. This vibrant contrast adds year-round interest, making it one of the most eye-catching hedge shrubs for landscapes. Its dense, upright form provides both beauty and function as a privacy screen or windbreak.

Perfect for hedges and large plantings.
Growing 10–15 feet tall and 8–10 feet wide, Red Tip Photinia is large enough to form a substantial barrier. Its rapid growth rate means you’ll enjoy a lush evergreen hedge in just a few seasons. Plant them in rows for a living privacy fence, or use them as foundation plantings and accents where vibrant color can shine.

Low-maintenance and resilient.
One of the best features of Red Tip Photinia is its ability to thrive in a wide range of soils and conditions. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7–9, tolerates heat and drought once established, and grows well in both full sun and partial shade. Minimal pruning is required to maintain its natural dense shape, though it responds well to trimming for formal hedges.

Seasonal interest with evergreen reliability.
Beyond its red-to-green foliage transition, Red Tip Photinia may also produce clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by decorative red berries in fall. With its combination of fast growth, vibrant color, and evergreen foliage, it’s a versatile shrub that enhances both formal landscapes and natural hedges.

Growzone: 7-9

Hardiness Zone:	7-9
Mature Height:	10 to 15 feet
Mature Width:	8 to 10 feet
Classification:	Broad-leaved evergreen shrub
Sunlight:	Full sun to part shade
Habit:	Densely branched, spreading
Foliage:	Rich red in spring, turning greenish-red in summer
Flower Color:	White in spring
Pruning Season:	Spring, Summer
Soil Condition:	Any well-drained soil
Water Requirements:	Water well until established
Uses:	Extremely attractive when used as in the mixed border, foundations, or planted in mass.; fast growing privacy plant

How to Care for Red Tip Photinia

Before you buy a Red Tip Photinia Shrubs, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving for years to come!

How do I plant Red Tip Photinia shrubs?

Choose a site with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Position the shrub upright, backfill halfway, water thoroughly, then finish filling and water again. For privacy hedges, space Red Tip Photinia plants 5–8 feet apart, depending on how quickly you want them to fill in. Finish by applying a 2–3 inch mulch layer around the base to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

How often should I water Red Tip Photinia?

Water deeply 1–2 times per week during the first year to encourage strong root development. Soil should remain evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, Red Tip Photinia is moderately drought-tolerant and will only need supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells. Consistent watering during its establishment phase will help it grow into a dense, healthy hedge more quickly.

When and how should I fertilize Red Tip Photinia?

Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to encourage healthy growth and vibrant red foliage. Apply evenly around the root zone and water well to activate nutrients. A second light feeding in midsummer can help younger shrubs grow faster, while mature hedges typically only need a single annual application. Avoid overfertilizing, as this can stress the plant and encourage pests.

Does Red Tip Photinia need pruning?

Red Tip Photinia naturally forms a dense, upright habit, but pruning will enhance its shape and encourage more colorful new growth. Trim lightly in late spring or early summer after new leaves have flushed. For formal hedges, prune once or twice a year to maintain a crisp, uniform look. Always avoid heavy pruning in late fall, as tender new growth may be damaged by frost.