Red Robin Photinia × fraseri Chico = 'Br2011'
ABOUT
Photinia × fraseri, commonly known as Red Tip Photinia, is a popular evergreen shrub with a notable feature of young, vibrant red leaves that emerge as eye-catching foliage. As the leaves mature, they transition to a glossy, deep green color, providing an impressive contrast with the newer red leaves. The plant has a rounded foliage shape with a dense, bushy appearance, making it a favorite choice for hedges and ornamental borders. Red Tip Photinia is also recognized for its clusters of small, white flowers. These blossoms usually appear in the spring, adding to the appeal of the plant with their delicate appearance and subtle fragrance. After flowering, the shrub may produce small, round fruit which can be a dark red to black color, often attracting birds and wildlife to the garden. The leaves of the Red Tip Photinia are oval and generally have pointed ends, with a leathery texture that further contributes to the shrub's robust nature. Their surface is smooth, and they are held on sturdy stems. The plant's vivid red and green coloring, combined with its attractive flowers and fruits, make it an alluring feature for any domestic or commercial landscape design looking for year-round interest and color.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Chico Red Robin, Chico Photinia
Common names
Photinia × fraseri Chico = 'Br2011'.
ToxicityTo humans
Red Tip Photinia, which Photinia × fraseri is commonly known as, is not generally considered highly toxic to humans. However, ingesting parts of the plant, especially in larger quantities, might cause mild stomach upset. In the majority of cases, casual contact or minor ingestion will result in negligible or no symptoms, but as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could potentially exacerbate this reaction.
To pets
For pets, Red Tip Photinia (Photinia × fraseri) poses a low level of toxicity. If ingested by animals such as cats or dogs, the leaves could potentially cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Generally, pets would need to consume a significant amount of the plant to experience severe symptoms. As with humans, more prominent reactions could occur in pets with particular sensitivities.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Varies
Flower color
White
Height
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Spread
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Photinia × fraseri Chico, commonly known as Christmas Berry, offers aesthetic appeal with its glossy green leaves and red young shoots that add color contrast to gardens.
- Ease of Maintenance: Christmas Berry is known for being relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
- Drought Tolerance: It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for regions with water scarcity concerns or for low-water gardens.
- Privacy Hedge: It can be used to create dense hedges or screens, providing privacy and reducing noise from surroundings.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees, while the berries can provide food for birds, supporting local biodiversity.
- Versatility in Landscaping: It is versatile in landscape uses, including hedges, topiary, foundation plantings, and as specimen plants.
- Rapid Growth: Christmas Berry is known for its fast growth rate, quickly providing results in landscaping projects.
- Adaptability: This plant is adaptable to a range of soil types, as long as they are well-draining.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Privacy screening: Photinia can be grown as a dense hedge to provide privacy for homes and gardens due to its quick growth and thick foliage.
- Topiary art: With regular pruning, Photinia plants can be sculpted into various shapes and forms, making them ideal for decorative topiary art in gardens and landscapes.
- Windbreak: Taller varieties of Photinia can serve as windbreaks, helping to protect smaller plants and reduce wind erosion in gardens.
- Erosion control: Root systems of Photinia shrubs can help stabilize soils on slopes and prevent erosion.
- Noise barrier: When planted densely, Photinia can help to dampen noise from traffic or neighbors, creating a quieter environment.
- Urban landscaping: Due to its hardiness and low maintenance, Photinia is used in urban areas to beautify streetscapes, public parks, and commercial properties.
- Seasonal interest: Photinia's red young leaves and white flowers provide aesthetic seasonal interest in landscape designs.
- Wildlife habitat: The dense branches can offer shelter and nesting sites for birds and small wildlife.
- Cultural symbolism: In certain cultures, Photinia may be used in gardens for its symbolism, such as representing abundance or new growth.
- Photography: With its striking foliage and flowers, Photinia is often used as a background plant in garden photography to enhance the visual appeal of pictures.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Red Tip Photinia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Red Tip Photinia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Growth: Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin' is often used to symbolize new growth, as it exhibits bright red young leaves that mature to green.
- Protection: With its dense growth habit, 'Red Robin' can act as a natural barrier, symbolizing protection and privacy.
- Renewal: As 'Red Robin' sheds its older leaves for new red ones, it embodies the concept of renewal and fresh starts.
WaterChico Red Robin should be watered thoroughly once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In hot or windy weather, it may require more frequent watering, such as twice a week. Each watering session should provide enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of about 6 to 10 inches. For a mature plant, this might be approximately 2 to 3 gallons per session. Reduce watering in the winter months when the plant is not actively growing.
LightChico Red Robin thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The ideal spot for this plant is a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. However, it can also benefit from some afternoon shade during the hottest part of the day in very warm climates.
TemperatureChico Red Robin prefers moderate temperatures and can tolerate a range from about 20°F to 90°F; however, it grows best between 60°F and 75°F. Protecting it from harsh, cold winds and extreme temperatures by placing it in a sheltered spot can help ensure its health and longevity.
PruningPruning Chico Red Robin is essential to maintain its shape, encourage new growth, and remove any dead or diseased branches. Prune during late winter or early spring before new growth starts. This plant can be pruned annually, and if needed, light trimming can be done throughout the growing season to maintain its desired size and shape.
CleaningAs needed
SoilRed Tip Photinia requires well-draining soil mixed with organic matter such as compost. The best pH range for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, between 5.5 and 7.0. A blend of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or coarse sand can provide suitable conditions.
RepottingRed Tip Photinia should be repotted every 3 to 5 years to provide fresh soil and to accommodate root growth. Younger plants may require more frequent repotting, while established plants can be repotted less often.
Humidity & MistingRed Tip Photinia thrives in moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate both lower and higher humidity. No specific humidity level is critical, but it should not be excessively dry for prolonged periods.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Red Tip Photinia near bright, indirect light and maintain soil moisture.
Outdoor
Plant in partial to full sun, sheltered from strong winds; mulch base.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cycleRed Robin 'Chico', a cultivar of Photinia × fraseri, begins its life as a seed, typically germinating in a warm, moist environment, progressing to develop a root system and shoot. After germination, it enters the seedling stage, during which it develops its first true leaves and photosynthetic capacity. As a young plant, it experiences vigorous growth, maturing and branching out to form its characteristic shape and producing the red-tinted new foliage that gives this plant its common name. Upon reaching maturity, Red Robin 'Chico' starts to flower, producing small, white flowers, which, if pollinated, can result in the production of fruit, completing its reproductive cycle. These plants are often propagated by cuttings rather than seeds, which accelerates the growth cycle and ensures the genetic consistency of the cultivar. After many years, the plant will eventually reach senescence, experiencing reduced growth and vigor, and will ultimately die, although it may live several decades under optimal conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagation for Photinia × fraseri, commonly referred to as "Red Tip Photinia," is through semi-hardwood cuttings. It involves taking cuttings of semi-ripe wood from a mature plant during the late summer or early fall, when the new growth has begun to mature and firm up. The cuttings, typically 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length, should have several leaves on top and be cut just below a node. Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development, then insert the cutting into a pot filled with a well-draining potting medium, such as a mixture of peat and perlite. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator to maintain high humidity, and keep it in a warm spot with indirect light until roots develop, which usually takes several weeks. Once rooted, the new plants can be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions and eventually planted out in the garden.
