Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (Christmas berry 'Red Robin')
1 hour care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'
Other names
Christmas berry 'Red Robin', Photinia 'Red Robin'
Genus
Photinia Photinia
Species
P. x fraseri 'Red Robin' - P. x fraseri 'Red Robin' is an evergreen shrub with red leaves that turn green as they mature. Panicles of creamy-white flowers are produced in spring.
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' is: Evergreen
Habit
Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Cream in Spring
Foliage
Green, Red in Spring; Red, Green in Summer; Green in Autumn; Green in Winter
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Vine weevil Vine weevil
Fireblight , Leaf spot Fireblight , Leaf spot
General care
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (Christmas berry 'Red Robin') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in moist, fertile, humus-rich, free-draining soil in full sun to partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'
Other names
Christmas berry 'Red Robin', Photinia 'Red Robin'
Genus
Photinia Photinia
Species
P. x fraseri 'Red Robin' - P. x fraseri 'Red Robin' is an evergreen shrub with red leaves that turn green as they mature. Panicles of creamy-white flowers are produced in spring.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Cream in Spring
Foliage
Green, Red in Spring; Red, Green in Summer; Green in Autumn; Green in Winter
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (Christmas berry 'Red Robin') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in moist, fertile, humus-rich, free-draining soil in full sun to partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (Christmas berry 'Red Robin')
Common pest name
grape ground pearl
Scientific pest name
Margarodes vitis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
General biosecurity comments
Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (Christmas berry 'Red Robin')
Common pest name
Cedar-Quince rust; Quince rust; Rust of apple; Rust of juniper; Rust of quince
Scientific pest name
Gymnosporangium clavipes
Type
Fungus
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
EU regulated rust disease which helps mitigate against introduction. A review of EU regulations will help to ensure that all hosts are regulated.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (Christmas berry 'Red Robin')
Common pest name
Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance
Scientific pest name
Hoplolaimus spp.
Type
Nematode
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Corten steel is a modern material often used by garden designers and landscape architects to make garden planters, retaining walls and other structures. Here are some inspirational uses of… read more
By Garden Designer Andrea Newill. The client had recently added a kitchen extension to the property and were left with an awkward space to deal with. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
We have a “lollypop” red robin, but prefer a lower bush shape. How drastic can we be in pruning this into said resultant shape?
Triming to shape
Red Robin in pots?
What is the best acid fertiliser to use?
'Brown' spots on leaves
There are 6 active discussions about Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (Christmas berry 'Red Robin')
View all discussions