Oriental photinia
Photinia villosa

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Photinia villosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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 and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Woods in W. Hupeh. Low mountains and hills all over Japan. Slopes, forests, thickets, streamsides, roadsides and waste places at elevations 100 - 1600 metres.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit. No more details are given. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter, though occasionally forms with fruits up to 16mm are seen. Leaves - cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails.

Medicine

Rating: 0

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.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

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. Dislikes calcareous soils. A very ornamental and polymorphic species, there are a number of sub-species. P. villosa sinica. Rehd.&Wils. is a taller growing form, to 8 metres, and has larger fruits than the type, up to 12mm in diameter. Plants are susceptible to fireblight. The flowers have a hawthorn-like scent. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

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: 4-8

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. variabilis. Pourthiaea villosa. (Thunb.)Decne.