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Photinia serratifolia

Previously known as:

  • Crataegus serratifolia
  • Photinia serrulata
Phonetic Spelling
foh-TIN-nee-uh ser-at-ih-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Chinese photinia is a large, broadleaf, evergreen shrub or small tree in the rose family. It grows between 20'-30' tall. It has showy fragrant flowers that bloom in mid-spring. As leaves age, they go from spinose to serrate to crenate. Plant has nice, large, red buds. It is the largest and heaviest-blooming of all photinias, although the flowers are somewhat malodorous.

Plant in the full sun to partial shade with medium moisture well-drained soil. Well established plants tolerate drought but it does not like wet soil or the leaves getting wet. It is also intolerant of alkaline soils. Due to its size, it should not be used in small designs.  They can be grown as a small tree and are easy to transplant.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Large, coriaceous serrate leaves has 25-40 veins
  • This plant produces large red buds that are red-colored and emerge from foliage

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has pest problems but is the most disease-resistant of the genus, being particularly resistant to Entemosporium leaf spot. Phytophthora root rot, powdery mildew and fire blight can occur. Insects are aphids and scales.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#spring flowers#winter interest#showy fruits#disease resistant#large shrub#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#spring interest#fantz#bird friendly#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#spring flowers#winter interest#showy fruits#disease resistant#large shrub#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#spring interest#fantz#bird friendly#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Photinia
    Species:
    serratifolia
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are food source for birds.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to Entemosporium leaf spot
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 9 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Multi-stemmed
    Oval
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Plant produces a red, globose, berry-like pome that is less than an inch in diameter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are white, foetid, and less than an inch in size. Infloresence is a cyme, terminal, and 4"-6" long.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate to oblong, spinose to serrate to crenate, coriaceous, have 25-49 prominent lateral veins, and are 4"-8" long and 1 1/2"-3 1/2" wide. New leaves are apple green to bronze-tinged or reddish purple, later maturing to dark green.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Surface/Attachment:
    Patchy
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are stout, greenish-brown, and lenticeled.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Malodorous