Photinia glabra Play pronunciation

Japanese Photinia is a large evergreen shrub or small tree in the rose family with an upright and rounded form. It is a native of southern China and central and southern Japan. At maturity, it can reach up to 10 feet tall, although an unpruned speciman could eventually reach 20 feet. This plant blooms in late spring (making it the last of the photinias to flower). The fragrance of its blooms has been compared to that of the hawthorn, but others find it offensive. New foliage is a colorful reddish bronze that later turns green, and reddish buds are visible most of the year.

Japanese Photinia does best in moist, well drained soil, sited in full sun to partial shade with good air circulation. This plant is alkaline tolerant and drought tolerant once established. It is intolerant of wet conditions and should be watered at the soil level to avoid getting water on the leaves. It is the least cold-tolerant of the photinias and should be planted where it would be protected from cool winds. P. glabra is related to, and sometimes confused with, P. serrulata; however, P. glabra is the larger of the two and also has larger leaves.

This plant can be used as a hedge or grown as a small tree. 

Quick ID Hints:

• Leaves are alternate, coriaceous, and elliptic-obovate
• Leaves are reddish when young
• Leaves have 8 to 14 pairs of lateral veins

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Japanese Photinia has pest and disease problems, including leaf spot. Leaf spot can be a problem in the summer climates of USDA Zones 8-9. Fireblight, powdery mildew, aphids, and scale can also occur.