Photinia plants remain a popular choice as privacy hedges or decorative bush options. Clemson Univeristy Cooperative Extension says some photinia types can grow to more than 30 feet tall and reach over 8 feet across. When properly selected, planted, and maintained, photinias make wonderful hedges.
Photinia Plants - Different Varieties
Gardeners may be more familiar with red tip photinia. Also known as Fraser Photinia and red Robin Photinia, it is found in the USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Chinese hawthorn is another broadleaf evergreen variety of photinia. It grows 12 to twenty feet tall (Photinia salifolia USDA zones 6-9), and Chinese Photinia Stranvaesia davidiana. davidiana also known as Photinia davidiana. It grows between 10-15 feet tall. University of Florida IFAS Extension suggests that Japanese photinia or red-leaf photinia are better suited for tall privacy screen or individual decorative plants.
Christmas berry, a deciduous, photinia-shrub (Photinia Villosa), grows to 10 to 15 ft tall in USDA zones 4 through 7. Photinia beauty Diana (USDA areas 6 through 9) may grow to 20 to 25 ft. These two plants may not work as hedges because they are photinia.
Planning a Photinia Hide
You should choose the appropriate photinia when designing your hedge with photinia. Red-leaf and Japanese photinia are better choices than a shorter hedge. The red-leaf variety tends to be less open beneath the canopy. According to Washington State University Clark County Extension, the red tip photinia makes a great hedge.
Measure the height and the diameter of the roots to determine the size hole you need. Dig holes at least two-and a half times the size of the rootballs. The hole should be slightly deeper (2 to 3. inches) than its depth. Take out rocks and rocky soil, and save the soil to be used as backfill. This Old House recommends that you dig a single trench to create privacy.
Photinia hedge plant
Plants of photinia need to be properly spaced in order to keep them healthy. Empire National Nursery recommends space between plants and barriers of at least half the size of mature plants. However, This Old House recommends that there be no more than 4 to 6 feet between red-tip Photinia trees. Closer plantings will limit the growth of the plants and increase the risk of disease.
Position each plant so that its most attractive side is facing the desired direction. It may be necessary to remove any rootball coverings. To gently score the rootballs, you can use a handcultivator.
Backfill the trenches with two parts of excavated ground and one part of manure. To make a soil dam, you should not exceed the root ball diameter. Trees.com recommends watering red-tip photinia once a day. The photinia enjoys well-drained soil. But to avoid root damage, don't overwater.
Propagation, Care Maintenance
You can make red-tip Photinia cuttings. Use cuttings made from healthy stem tips in late summer. You can cut the length to 3 to 4 inches. Make sure you don't go below a leaf node. After that, place it in water or soil. Place in bright sunlight and cover with a bag. When the roots have reached maturity, you can put the plants outside.
Red-tip Photinia plants are tolerant of hard pruning in order to form dense hedges. Pruning is a good way to increase hedge density, especially the lower branches. To prune, allow shoots to grow up to a foot. Then cut 6 inches. To encourage new leaf buds, water the plant and fertilize. Prune two to four weeks per year.
Photinia may be susceptible to Entomosporium-related fungus (Entomosporium macularitum). Proper spacing, proper air circulation, and watering at root level reduces the risk of developing fungus. Winter pruning and removal of dead leaves or clippings helps to reduce the risk of fungal infection.
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