Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is the evergreen hedge grown for its colour: glossy green leaves all year, with bright red new shoots each spring and again after every trim. It makes a dense, formal screen from about 1.2m to 2.5m and suits most well-drained gardens. Buy it from our family nursery as pot-grown hedge plants, instant hedging, pleached trees or a single Red Robin tree, sourced from a specialist Photinia grower.
Choose the right Photinia Red Robin for your project
Where do you want the red foliage to start: at ground level, above a fence, or as a single feature?
Photinia Red Robin hedge plantsA hedge from ground level. Compare pot-grown sizes and instant hedging sections, with prices and plants per metre on the product page.Pleached Photinia Red Robin treesPrivacy above a fence or wall. Trained, flat heads on a clear stem, planted in a row so the heads meet.Photinia Red Robin treeA large, single-stem Red Robin tree for a front garden, border or patio focal point, with red new growth held high.Photinia Red Robin half standard treeA smaller lollipop-style Red Robin on a short stem. Ideal for pairs either side of a door, in large pots or along a path.
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Photinia Red Robin HedgePhotinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’A hedge from ground level. Compare pot-grown sizes and instant hedging sections, with prices and plants per metre on the product page.Colourful FoliageMedium 20-40cm per yearPot GrownInstant Hedging - Pleached Photinia Red Robin TreesPhotinia x fraseri Red RobinPrivacy above a fence or wall. Trained, flat heads on a clear stem, planted in a row so the heads meet.Colourful FoliageMedium 20-40cm per yearPot Grown
Photinia Red Robin or Cherry Laurel?
Both make a dense evergreen screen. The right choice depends on your soil, light and the look you want.
| Compare | Photinia Red Robin | Cherry Laurel |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Glossy green with bright red new shoots | Large, glossy, mid-green leaves all year |
| Growth rate | Medium, about 20–40cm a year | Fast, often 30–60cm a year |
| Shade | Partial shade, but the red is strongest in sun | Copes well with shade |
| Soil | Needs free-draining soil | Tolerates most soils, including heavier ground |
| Best for | A colourful, formal hedge at 1.2–2.5m | A quick, tall, low-fuss privacy screen |
Expert nursery advice
Gwynne's Grower's Tip
The red is new growth, so the way you trim decides how much colour you get. Cut a Red Robin hedge lightly in late spring once the first flush has faded, and again in late summer. Each cut sets off a fresh set of red shoots, so a hedge trimmed twice a year stays brighter for longer than one left alone.
When choosing a size, plants of around 60cm to 1m are usually the best value. They establish quickly and fill out low down. Go bigger only when you need height from day one, and always plant in free-draining soil: Photinia sulks in wet ground more than it does in cold.
Helpful answers
Frequently Asked Questions About Photinia Red Robin Hedging
01Is Photinia Red Robin Right for Your Garden?
| Requirement | Suitability | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen screening | Very suitable | Allow time for smaller plants to establish and grow together. |
| Bright seasonal colour | Excellent | The strongest red growth normally develops in good light. |
| Formal hedging | Suitable | Regular light trimming helps maintain an even outline. |
| Partial shade | Suitable | Growth may be less dense and the red colour less intense than in full sun. |
| Deep shade | Less suitable | Low light and root competition can produce sparse growth. |
| Exposed or frost-prone sites | Consider carefully | Cold drying winds and late frost can damage tender new shoots. |
| Wet or waterlogged ground | Not suitable | Photinia needs freely draining soil and should not remain saturated. |
| Coastal planting | Site dependent | Choose a position protected from strong salt-laden winds. |
02How Far Apart Should Photinia Red Robin Be Planted?
Photinia spacing depends on the size you plant. As a guide, plant 80–100cm pot-grown Red Robin at 3 per metre and 100–150cm plants at 2 per metre in a single row. Instant hedging is sold by the metre.Use the spacing calculator and planting density shown against the exact Photinia Red Robin product option you intend to order. This is more reliable than applying one general spacing to every available size.Planting excessively close together does not guarantee a healthier hedge. Crowding can restrict airflow, increase competition between roots and make leaf-spot problems more difficult to manage.For a step-by-step explanation of ground preparation, planting depth and establishment, see our Photinia planting advice.
03Is Photinia Red Robin evergreen?
Yes. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is an evergreen shrub and normally retains glossy green foliage throughout the year. Some older leaves may still yellow and fall as part of natural replacement.
04How fast does Photinia Red Robin grow?
Established Red Robin hedging commonly grows by approximately 20–40cm a year under favourable conditions. Growth varies according to soil, moisture, exposure, plant size and pruning.
05How tall does a Red Robin hedge grow?
A managed Red Robin hedge is often maintained between approximately 1.2m and 2.5m. Unpruned plants can eventually become much taller and wider.
06Does Red Robin grow in shade?
Photinia Red Robin grows in partial shade, but the young foliage normally develops its strongest red colour in better light. Deep shade can result in weaker, more open growth.
Helpful next steps
Browse all Q&A Growing Advice for Photinia Red Robin Hedging
Care GuidePhotinia Red Robin Hedging Care GuidePhotinia Red Robin Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and Pruning Photinia Red Robin hedging grows best in fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well drained, in full…Read care guide 
Care GuidePhotinia Red Robin Problems, Pests & DiseasesLearn how to identify and treat common Photinia Red Robin problems, pests and diseases in the UK including leaf spot and mildew with our helpful guide.Read care guide 
Q&APhotinia Carré Rouge vs Red Robin: Which Is Better for a Hedge?Photinia Carré Rouge and Red Robin both provide evergreen foliage and colourful red new growth, but they differ noticeably in eventual size and growth habit. The better choice…Read answer 
Q&APhotinia Pink Marble vs Red Robin: Which Is Better for Hedging?Photinia Pink Marble and Red Robin are both evergreen Photinia cultivars, but they create very different hedges. Red Robin is the more conventional screening choice, while Pink Marble…Read answer 
Q&AIs Photinia Red Robin Poisonous to Dogs?There is conflicting gardening advice about Photinia Red Robin and pet safety. Veterinary toxicology sources support a cautious approach because Photinia foliage and fruit contain compounds that can…Read answer 
Q&AWhat Is Eating My Photinia Red Robin Leaves?Missing pieces, holes or notches in Red Robin leaves can look alarming, but the pattern of damage usually gives a useful clue. Checking the leaf edges, rolled foliage…Read answer 
Q&AWhat Problems Can Photinia Red Robin Have in Pots?Photinia Red Robin can grow well in containers, but a pot makes the roots more dependent on careful watering, drainage and regular maintenance. Knowing which container-specific problems to…Read answer