Photinia Red Robin Options Explained
Multistem: 5-7L pot, multi stem. 2-3 years old.
120-180cm: 120-180cm tall, 2-3 years old, 7-12L pot, single stem. Half Standard.
150-180cm: 150-180cm tall, 2-3 years old, 7-12L pot, single stem. Half Standard.
180-240cm: 150-180cm clear stem, standard, 12-18L pot, 3-4 years old.
Girth 5-6 cm : *180-200cm clear stem,10-18L pot, *30-60cm crown, standard.
Girth 6-8 cm : *180-200cm clear stem,10-18L pot, *40-70cm crown, standard.
Girth 8-10 cm : *180-200cm clear stem,15-25L pot, *50-80cm crown, standard.
Girth 10-12 cm : *180-200cm clear stem, 50L+ pot, *60-90cm crown, standard.
Girth 12-14 cm : *180-200cm clear stem, 50L+ pot, *60-100cm crown, standard.
Girth 14-16 cm : *180-200cm clear stem, 50L+ pot, *60-110cm crown, standard.
Girth 16-18cm: *180-200cm clear stem, 50L+ pot, *60-110cm crown, standard.
Girth 18-20cm: *180-200cm clear stem, 180L+ pot, *120-160cm crown, standard.
(HS)Girth 5-6cm: Half Standard,15L pot, around 80-100cm clear trunk and head *20-50cm wide and tall.
(HS)Girth 6-8cm: Half Standard,18L pot, around 80-100cm clear trunk and head *30-60cm wide and tall.
(HS)Girth 8-10cm: Half Standard,25-30L pot, around 80-100cm clear trunk and head *30-70cm wide and tall.
(HS)Girth 10-12cm : Half Standard,35-50L pot, around 80-100cm clear trunk and head *40-80cm wide and tall.
(HS)Girth 12-14cm: Half Standard,50-70L pot, around 80-100cm clear trunk and head *50-80cm wide and tall.
*Heights/width are a guideline only. Girth is a much more accurate method of establishing maturity i.e. larger canopy and root system. It is very easy to not prune a Photinia Red Robin and leave it in a greenhouse giving you a very tall and leggy plant that will snap from the first storm. Each girth increment e.g. 6-8cm to 8-10cm represents around 12-18 months of growth and is the measurement of the trunk diameter at a given point.
Standard has around 180-200cm clear stem and (HS) = Half Standard around 80-100cm clear stem.
Photinia Red Robin
A very popular evergreen tree, the Red Robin tree (Photinia x fraserii 'Red Robin') provides all-year-round colour, it is brilliant red, glossy young leaves are of real appeal. Dainty white flowers in spring are on occasion, followed by spherical red fruit. This is a small tree which makes it very suitable for a small garden. We have found this tree to be quite hardy, although it is best to avoid really frosty positions if possible e.g. bottom of a valley, back of a walk-in freezer.
Red Robin trees can be pruned hard at any time without damage as they are considered the Rambo equivalent of trees. This is one of the reasons why it has been awarded the RHS Award Of Garden Merit. We strongly advise you to prune hard for at least the next couple of seasons for trees below 2m or 4 years old. This will force your Red Robin to bush out even more. This will also ensure that older growth is not long and spindly which would make it prone to snow loading and wind damage. Your Red Robin tree may turn up looking scalped, this is because we have hard pruned it for you. Prune up to three times a year making the last one around August to ensure new growth is not subjected to cold and frosts.
You can also plant Photinia Red Robin in containers so enabling you to move the tree to your heart's content. Remember that if the pot is too small it will restrict the size of the tree and will require feeding and watering more often than if it was in the ground. Our rule of thumb is the bigger the pot, the less risk you have of damaging or killing the tree. The Photinia Red Robin is very good for topiary and other ornamental uses.
A small tree so expect a height of around 4-5 metres tall and the same wide after 10 years.
Best Place To Plant Photinia Red Robin
Full or partial sun and sheltered with moist but free-draining soil. If you have heavy clay, mix with 50% well-rotted manure or compost. Suitable for almost any soil types.
Photinia Red Robin Hedging
Hedging plants will have branches that start low to the ground and can be bushes or feathered trees. A bush has a very short central stem/trunk and starts to branch out from that point. A feathered tree has a single central stem/trunk and has side branches on most of it. It could be argued that bush forms have a more dense lower section initially and feathered trees have a more pleasing look.
Spacing depends mostly on your budget and patience. The closer you plant them, the sooner they will knit together. We don't advise planting more than 4 per metre. Remember, these can grow 4 m high and just as wide although 4m spacing for a hedge is closer to unrealistic than reasonable money-saving idea.
It is possible to use the Half Standard or Quarter Standard tree forms and get the foliage to knit together but you will have the lower section free of branches. This can be very ornamental and is a good way of provided privacy above a fence line.
Photinia Red Robin Plant Spacing For Ornamental Trees
You either want the branches to knit together or you don't e.g. hedging/screening v's specimen/ornamental trees. It is not a good idea to have branch tips being moved in strong winds and causing damage to other young growth nearby. So if planting them as ornamental stand-alone trees, plant 5m or more apart or prune to keep them separate.
Growing Photina Red Robin In Containers
The considerations that guide pot sizes are water, nutrition, drainage, wind and mobility with a general rule of thumb of bigger is better. Ask two different experts on pot sizes and get four different opinions. The size that is best for you depends on what you want to achieve. The best we can offer is a mature Red Robin at around 4m tall will likely need around 150 litres which is more than one person can lift on their own. If you live in a windy area, you will need a larger container or need to use alternative measures to keep it from blowing over such as weighting the pot, tying the pot or tree down, using sheltered areas or even partially burying it.
Photinia Red Robin Leaf Spot (dark brown spots on leaves)
Leaf spot for Red Robin is not something to panic about and is caused by wet and warm weather. While the plant is younger and getting established it may be more prone to leaf spot and as it matures, the resistance to leaf spot increases. Once you have leaf spot the only action is preventative. Remove the affected leaves although they will probably fall themselves in Spring, collect and burn or dispose of appropriately. A heavy leaf loss can be normal. If the plant becomes thinner in the centre, consider pruning to promote new growth.
A general tree feed in Spring will help strengthen the tree and keep the surrounding area free of excess water will help e.g keeping the grass short, plant in full sun position, prune to allow maximum light and air into the canopy. If you have a clay soil consider digging up and mixing the removed earth with 50% compost or well-rotted manure and replant. Some form of windbreak to keep high winds off would be beneficial. Hardy of frost down to -8 degrees centigrade although prolonged frosts may give leave spot a way into the tree.
A free message card is available. Write what you would like on it when at the checkout in the text box provided.
What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Red Robin Photinia Tree
*Photinia Red Robin Trees arrived yesterday . They look fabulous .many thanks . G.Keens 0820-26083
Hi Alan, Pleased to advise the *Photinia Red Robin trees arrived today and we are delighted with them, they’re great. Many thanks for chasing for these with your new supplier. Best regards I. Newsham 231020
Good Afternoon Alan,My order has arrived today and all looks to be in good order with the trees very well packaged.As I expect you will know they are at the top end of your estimate on size which I am very pleased with. They are soaking just now and will find a new home tomorrow. Many thanks for your efforts, I am truly grateful. Best Regards, Keith 0620
Good morning, received trees just now, perfect thank you. Regards Peter 0320
Hi Alan A big thank you for our very healthy trees - they have all just been planted and look stunning. A thank you for also sending perfect height. I’m assuming we do not need to prune them now until next Spring? I have no doubt we will be returning customers - we are now planning the back garden and so look forward to browsing your online site once again! Best Alison 0919
Hi Alan, Trees received on Thursday (& with a smile!) and now in place 😅Thank you so much Kris 0918
Oh bless you. Thankyou so much. It's a beautiful tree (Photinia Red Robin) and is very much appreciated. We will definitely be buying from you again and I am spreading the word.... With best wishes Sally 0718
Dear Alan, The tree has arrived and will be planted shortly many thanks, Kind regards, Liz 0618
Hi Alan, Just to let you know that the Photinia trees arrived this morning so thank you so so much for turning them around so quickly, it’s much appreciated. Best wishes H. Brooks 0418
August 2017: Dear Senior Dogsbody, Thank you VERY much for your encouraging email. We now have on standby a witch doctor from the jungles of Borneo who is ready to shake the bones over the plants when they arrive and cleanse the ground of evil spirits and slugs where they are to be planted. So coupled with your gypsy spell these should have the perfect start and should be 20 feet tall no time! Thank you once again for your excellent customer service and may I take this opportunity to be the first to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Kind Regards Jane Greenaway
Hi Alan, just incase you didn't get my phone message, I just wanted to let you know that the tree arrived safe and sound, we will be planting it later today so hope fully all will be well and we will have a nice tree to match the others. Thank you for a great service. Kind regards Beryl Luvk
November 2016: Dear sirs, Many thanks for your very prompt delivery of my Photinia Red Robin trees. Excellent service/excellent specimens! Stephen.
August 2016 Hi Alan: The tree (Photinia Red Robin) arrived a week or so ago - and very nice it is, too. Kind regards Stuart Church
Hi Alan, Yes all (Photinia Red Robin Trees) received, very pleased indeed. Well worth the wait. She has settled into her new home down the side fence very well :) Thank you very much Ben
June 2016 "I am not sure I was the easiest client as I needed lollipop standards not just of similar height but all of a specific height and delivered when I could be there. The Red Robin trees are of lovely quality; all look the same; and are the right height. Which is a pretty perfect service in itself but add in the unexpected dollop of humour and the service moves to the exceptional. G Hall."
March 2016: Alan, Thank you.Trees (Photinia Red Robin) arrived safely and just what we wanted. Hope they do as well as previous orders. Best wishes, Alan Thorp
October 2015: Photinia Red Robin trees are great, thank you, very impressed with the quality and perfect for what I need them for.
Hi Alan, Thanks for your email. The Photinia Red Robin trees have arrived and are perfect, very happy with them and they look excellent. All 8 are the same size which is exactly what I wanted and they arrived in great condition. Claire S.
September 2015:Dear Alan. I am thrilled with the tree! Many thanks for delivering it so quickly. Regards, Jenny Turner
August 2015: Dear Alan, I like your email, very original. My testimonial: 'I ordered three Photina trees to plant at the back of my garden pod to give privacy. The trees arrived promptly and in great packaging to protect them. They were in excellent condition and just as described. I planted them immediately and they are doing well and will give me the privacy I require. Thank you I will definitely order from you when I need more trees and recommend you to anyone wanting a good quality tree.' best regards Fiona
March 2015: Hi, Thank you very much for brilliant service. Trees arrived in perfect condition. Will definitely use your company again and highly recommend to others. Mrss Pauline Hanwell
Sept 2014: Hi Dogsbody, Thank you so much for your email our Photinia Red Robin tree arrived and in perfect condition, this will be our third tree from you and they have been of fabulous condition and make a huge impact in our garden.No photos supplied may scare kids!!, but thank you once again Sandra
Sept 2014: Hi Alan,Many thanks for your e-mail. The two Photinia Red Robin trees were delivered on the day promised and arrived well wrapped with no damage to the outer packaging. They were left where I had requested and were even left the right way up! No complaints from me regarding the courier...When I unpacked them I was really please with the quality, they looked very healthy. I have planted them following the instructions and attached a photo showing their position. Thanks again for an excellent service, I would have no hesitation in recommending your company. Ian
May 2014: I just want to thank you for this good quality tree (Red Robin Photinia) at a reasonable price. I will be back for more trees in the Autumn Kind Regards, Josephine Wilberforce.
March 2014: Thank you for your email.My photonia red robin arrived on date specified & delivery instructions were adhered to thank you. The tree was packaged well & was in good condition & looked healthy. We unpacked it & gave it a good watering in the pot as per instructions & let it stand on the patio in the pot for 1 day to let the air get to it as it looked a little deprived of air & light. Next day gave it another good watering & planted it later that day. It looks beautiful but still has a long way to go to replace the previous one which was ripped from the ground in the storms, but if it grows as well & as fast as its predecessor I will be very happy :-) Thank you again for a speedy safe delivery & a lovely healthy Photinia tree as promised. I will definitely be ordering more from you in the very near future. Kindest regards Lynne
March 2014: Many thanks, The (Photinia Red Robin) trees arrived on time and in good condition. They reach the top of the trellis and should be providing us with a bit more privacy during the winter months. Best regards David Radford
January 2014: Delighted with the service I received from Treesonline. My order (which included Red Robin Trees) arrived very quickly and the trees were in beautiful condition. I even got more Blackthorn than I was expecting. I will definitely be ordering some more trees in the future.
September 2013: Trees arrived safely and well packaged.No problems with courier. They weren't quite as big as I was expecting, having ordered the largest pot size, but they are now planted and only time will tell if they will take well, but all good so far. Best Regards Janette Harrington editors note: All customers were advised that the delayed Spring of 2013 had caused a significant growth delay in all Red Robin Photinia before despatch but that they would catch up.
Sept 2012: My son ordered a 'Red Robin' tree from you for a Golden Wedding Anniversary gift for us in late June. Delivery was promised for late August and after a mix up over our Post Code it was delivered first week in September. It arrived safely in superb packaging - an eight foot tall heavy duty cardboard box, approx 30 x 30cm square.The Red Robin Photinia was about 7ft, with container well wrapped in back plastic was very secure and the tree in excellent order. The long straight 'trunk' was well supported by 2 bamboo poles and there was no apparent damage to the tree foilage. Carefully unpacked, well watered and allowed to stand in its container for a few days it has now been planted according to the excellent instructions attached to the tree. A more appropriate tree stake has been added for its long term development and we look forward to seeing grow on! Thankyou for your excellent service.
*Added for transparency and clarity.
