Japanese Photinia, Red Top, Red Leaf Photinia,
Photinia glabra

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded, Vase.

Photinia glabra is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

Hills in Szechwan. Slopes, mixed forests a elevations of 500 - 800 metres.

E. Asia - C. and S. Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit - dried. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 1

Anthelmintic. Also used in the treatment of obstinate dysentery, piles and jaundice.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Other

Rating:

The wood is hard and heavy, suitable for making furniture and other small articles.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Screen, Standard, Specimen, Street tree. Requires a well-drained fertile soil in a sheltered position in sun or light shade. Prefers a warm soil that is not too heavy or close. Tolerates calcareous soils. Dislikes windy sites. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c. Plants are susceptible to fireblight. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Plants are very tolerant of pruning. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Flowers have an unpleasant odor, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Stored seed will probably require stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Germination is usually good. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings in a frame. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. They take about 2 months to root and should be overwintered in a greenhouse, planting out in late spring. Fair to good percentage. Cuttings of almost ripe side shoots, 7 - 12cm with a heel, October/November in a cold frame. Lift the following autumn and plant in their permanent positions. Layering in autumn. Partially sever the layer about 12 months later and lift in the following spring. High percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Crataegus glabra. Sorbus glabra.