Photinia davidiana
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Photinia davidiana is a growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a fast rate.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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay 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 and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Height (m): 6
Where it is found
Not known
E. Asia - W. China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
A useful informal hedge or screening plant. The wood is hard and heavy, suitable for making furniture and other small articles.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Hedge: Hedge
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. Succeeds in most soils including calcareous and heavy clays. Dislikes windy sites. Established plants tolerate a degree of drought. Tolerates atmospheric pollution. Plants are not hardy in all areas of Britain, they tolerate temperatures down to about -15°c. This species is the most susceptible of the genus to fireblight. A vigorous fast-growing plant with vicious spines. The fruit persists into the winter and seems to be unattractive to birds. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value.
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; Hedge;
Habit:
Hardiness:
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist