What hardiness zones is Photinia davidiana suitable for?

Photinia davidiana is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Photinia davidiana?

Photinia davidiana requires Full Sun.

How much water does Photinia davidiana need?

Photinia davidiana has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Photinia davidiana

tall stranvaesia

Rosaceae

Central and western China (Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan) and Vietnam

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height12-25 feet (3.6-7.5 m)

Width10-20 feet (3-6 m)

Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancelow

Overview

An upright, spreading broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 12-25 feet (3.6-7.5 m) tall and 10-20 feet (3-6 m) wide. Growth rate is moderate to fast, adding 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) per year. Formerly classified as Stranvaesia davidiana; reclassified to Photinia based on molecular phylogenetic analysis. Leaves are alternate, elliptical to oblong-lanceolate, 2.5-5 inches (6-13 cm) long and 0.75-1.5 inches (2-4 cm) wide, glossy dark green with finely serrated margins. New growth emerges bronze to reddish-bronze. Young stems and leaf undersides have a distinctive rusty-brown pubescence. Some older leaves turn vivid red to scarlet individually in fall and winter before dropping, while the majority of the foliage remains green, creating a scattered mosaic of red leaves among green — a distinctive feature. Flowers appear in June in broad, flat-topped terminal corymbs 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across, white, each approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) across, resembling hawthorn flowers. Fruit is a cluster of bright red, globose pomes approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) in diameter, ripening in September to October and persisting through winter. Berries hang in pendulous clusters and are a significant food source for birds. Susceptible to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora), which can cause dieback of branches. Hardy to approximately -5 to 5°F (-20 to -15°C).

Native Range

Native to central and western China, primarily in Hubei, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces, and extending into Vietnam. Found in mixed forests, forest margins, and scrubland at elevations of 3,000-8,000 feet (900-2,400 m).

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a large screening shrub, informal hedge, or small specimen tree at 6-10 foot (1.8-3 m) spacing. The persistent red berry clusters provide winter color and wildlife food value. Suitable for the back of large mixed borders, woodland edges, and wildlife gardens. Not suitable for small residential gardens due to mature size. Tolerates urban pollution.

How to Identify

Identified by alternate, glossy dark green, finely serrated evergreen leaves 2.5-5 inches (6-13 cm) long with rusty-brown pubescence on the undersides and young stems. The scattered individual older leaves turning vivid red among otherwise green foliage in fall and winter is a distinctive feature not shared by most other photinias. White hawthorn-like flower clusters in early summer and persistent bright red berries through winter are further identifying features. Distinguished from Photinia × fraseri by the individual red-leaf mosaicking pattern (vs. uniform red new growth flushes) and by the persistent red berry clusters.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height12' - 25'

Width/Spread10' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

dark green

bronze

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Flowers in June in USDA zones 6-9. Broad, flat-topped terminal corymbs 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across bear small white flowers, each approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) across. Bloom lasts 2-3 weeks. Bright red, globose pomes approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) in diameter ripen in September to October in pendulous clusters, persisting through winter until consumed by birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Bronze-red new growth; glossy dark green mature; individual leaves turning vivid red in fall/winter

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. Adapts to a range of soil types and pH from 5.5 to 7.5. Water regularly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate moderate drought of 2-3 weeks. Mulch with 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of organic material. Fire blight is the most significant disease concern; prune out infected branches 12 inches (30 cm) below visible symptoms, sterilizing tools between cuts. Avoid overhead irrigation and excessive nitrogen fertilization, which promote the succulent growth susceptible to fire blight. No other serious pest or disease problems.

Pruning

Prune in late winter to early spring to shape and control size. Can be trained as a single-trunk small tree by removing lower branches gradually, or maintained as a multi-stemmed large shrub. Remove fire-blight-infected branches 12 inches (30 cm) below visible symptoms at any time, sterilizing tools with 10% bleach or 70% isopropyl alcohol between cuts. Responds to rejuvenation pruning if needed. Avoid heavy late-season pruning that promotes tender growth susceptible to fire blight.

Pruning Schedule

winterearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic