Photinia robusta - Evergreen Trees Direct

Photinia robusta

Name: Photinia robusta
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: PHOTROB40cm/45L
Price: 250.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

976 in stock

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

330cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Photinia robusta

Photinia robusta, or Robusta Photinia, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree prized for its dense, glossy dark green foliage and vibrant red new growth, adding striking color contrast year-round. It typically grows 3–5 meters tall and 2–3 meters wide, making it ideal for privacy screens, hedges, or as a specimen plant.

This bushy, upright shrub produces small white flowers in spring, followed by red fruit clusters. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, it requires low to moderate maintenance, with regular pruning encouraging its signature red flush. Drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from watering during dry spells, especially when young.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Photinia robusta is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 2 – 3 meters

Photinia robusta is expected to grow Approx. 40 cm – 80 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Photinia robusta frost tolerant?

Photinia robusta is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Photinia robusta produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in mid- to late spring. These soft, lightly fragrant blooms sit above the glossy green foliage and are followed by bright red berries, adding a subtle yet attractive seasonal accent.

Native Information

Is Photinia robusta an Australian Native? No

Photinia robusta is Native to Derived from the Photinia group, widely cultivated across Asia. ‘Robusta’ is a selected cultivar valued for its vigorous growth, dense foliage, and reliability in landscape plantings.

Wildlife Value

Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees and beneficial pollinators, while the red berries provide a valuable food source for birds. The dense evergreen foliage also offers excellent shelter, nesting cover and protection for small birds, making it highly useful for wildlife-friendly hedging and screening.

Sunlight Information

Photinia robusta will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Photinia robusta performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained positions unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the plant matures to support drought resilience, dense evergreen growth and healthy berry production.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Robusta Photinia

Genus: Photinia

Botanical Species: robusta

Family: Rosaceae

Botanical Name: Photinia robusta

Landscape Uses

Screening or Privacy
Shrubs

Photinia robusta works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant:

Choose a location with well-draining soil and exposure to full sun or partial shade.
Dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball and at least twice as wide.
Place the shrub in the hole at the correct depth.
Backfill with soil, water thoroughly, and add mulch to conserve moisture.

Hedging & Screening: Plant 1.5 m apart for fast, tall evergreen hedging.

Feature Tree: Can be shaped as a screen; plant 2 m – 3 m apart.

Avenue Planting Trees: Not commonly used but may suit informal avenues at 4 m spacing.

Caring for Photinia robusta:

Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape, promote vibrant red growth, and remove dead or wayward branches.
Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage healthy growth.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Photinia robusta prefers well-drained, fertile soil and adapts to various conditions:

Sandy Soil: Benefits from added organic matter to retain moisture.

Clay Soil: Can become compacted—improve with compost and sand for better drainage.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for strong root development and healthy growth.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Tolerates a wide pH range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions

Photinia robusta is expected to grow Approx. 40 cm – 80 cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established Photinia robusta develops good drought tolerance. Hardy and reliable, it performs well in warm, dry and urban environments and maintains dense growth with deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods.

Flowering Information

Does Photinia robusta flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Not Applicable

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the significance of the red new growth on Robusta Photinia?
The vibrant red foliage is a striking feature that adds visual interest and creates a dramatic contrast with the dark green leaves.
Is this shrub suitable for creating privacy screens or hedges?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for privacy screens and hedges due to its dense growth habit and vibrant foliage.
Can Robusta Photinia tolerate pruning and shaping?
Yes, it responds well to pruning and can be shaped to suit specific landscaping needs.
Does it attract wildlife?
The small red fruit clusters may attract birds, adding to the biodiversity in the garden.