Photinia Red Robin Standards

• Height: 1.8m clear stem with rounded crown

• Spread: 1.5-2m mature canopy

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in English/Irish conditions

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

• Evergreen: Year-round structure and colour

Like a living sculpture painted by nature’s finest artist, our Photinia Red Robin standard tree stands as a beacon of year-round beauty in the Irish garden. Rising on an elegant 1.8-metre stem, this architectural marvel crowns itself with a perfectly rounded head of the most spectacular foliage display you’ll witness through the seasons.

In spring, the tree awakens with a flourish of brilliant copper-red new growth that seems to glow from within, as if lit by an inner fire. These jewel-bright leaves gradually mature to a lustrous dark green, creating a tapestry of colour that shifts and changes with each passing week. Come autumn, delicate clusters of creamy-white flowers appear like scattered stars against the rich foliage, followed by small red berries that bring wildlife flocking to your garden sanctuary.

This is more than a tree – it’s a statement piece that transforms any space into something extraordinary. Whether standing sentinel beside your front door, anchoring a formal border, or creating a focal point in your favourite garden room, the Photinia Red Robin standard brings structure, colour, and year-round interest that never fails to captivate.

Planting: Choose a position in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper. Position so the root flare sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with a mixture of native soil and quality compost, water thoroughly, and apply a 5cm layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Care: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, this hardy tree requires minimal intervention. Prune lightly in late spring after flowering to maintain the rounded crown shape and encourage fresh red growth. Remove any shoots appearing on the clear stem promptly.

Seasonal Notes: The most spectacular red growth appears in spring and again in late summer if lightly pruned. In exposed positions, young trees may benefit from winter protection for the first year. Feed annually in early spring with a balanced fertiliser to encourage vibrant new growth.

Companion Planting: Underplant with spring bulbs like daffodils and crocuses, or create a sophisticated display with box hedging and ornamental grasses. The rich foliage provides an excellent backdrop for pale flowers and silver-leaved plants.