Photinia robusta - Evergreen Trees Direct

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

$120.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 50cm

Current Stock Height Guides

These heights are approximate. Batches change frequently, so contact our sales team if you need exact current heights.

30cm/33cm: Approximately 1.0 – 1.4 m tall at dispatch.
40cm/45L: Approximately 1.6 – 1.8 m tall at dispatch.
50cm: Approximately 2.0 – 2.4 m tall at dispatch.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: Up to 10m unpruned, usually held at 2m to 4m as a hedge

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

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)

Trade

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.

Register or learn more ›

Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

There is no charge to calculate your freight.

Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

Photinia robusta flushes brilliant scarlet-red new growth repeatedly through the growing season against dense glossy dark green mature foliage, giving one of the boldest colour contrasts available in a hedging plant. Every trim triggers another flush, so a maintained hedge carries red for most of the year.

Photinia robusta is a genuinely tall grower, reaching around 10 metres if left alone, but it is almost always held between 2 and 4 metres as a hedge. It stays narrow at 2 to 3 metres wide and grows quickly at 40 to 80 centimetres per year, which makes it a common choice where a tall screen is needed fast.

Photinia robusta grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates light to moderate frost once established. It is adaptable to most soils, tolerates urban conditions, and holds density under hard clipping, so it suits both formal hedges and loose boundary screening.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Photinia robusta

How tall does Photinia robusta grow?

Left unpruned Photinia robusta can reach around 10 metres, which makes it one of the taller screening plants available. In practice it is kept between 2 and 4 metres as a clipped hedge.

How fast does Photinia robusta grow?

It grows quickly at 40 to 80 centimetres per year once established, forming a usable screen within two to three years. It is one of the faster evergreen hedging options.

Why does Photinia robusta go red?

New growth emerges bright scarlet-red before hardening to glossy dark green. Trimming stimulates fresh growth, so regular clipping produces more red colour rather than less.

How far apart should I plant Photinia robusta for a hedge?

Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge. Closer spacing fills in faster but needs more frequent trimming.

Does Photinia robusta grow in shade?

Yes. It performs in full sun through to part shade, though red new growth colours most intensely in full sun. In shade the plant stays healthy but growth is more open.

Is Photinia robusta frost tolerant?

It handles light to moderate frost once established. Young plants benefit from protection through their first winter in colder inland districts.

When should I prune Photinia robusta?

Trim two to three times through the growing season, from spring to early autumn. Each cut drives a new red flush, so frequent light trimming gives both a tighter hedge and more colour.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Type: Structural Foliage

Buxus japonica Japanese Box Topiary Balls

From $300.00

Type: Structural Foliage

Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls

From $200.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'

From $130.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Rhaphiolepis indica 'Snow Maiden'

From $130.00

Type: Australian Native

Casuarina glauca 'Cousin It'

From $160.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'

From $145.00

Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Shrubs

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia 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.

Is Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia Evergreen or Deciduous?

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: Up to 10m unpruned, usually held at 2m to 4m as a hedge

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

Is Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia frost tolerant?

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia Flower?

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.

Does Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Is Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia an Australian Native Tree?

No

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia is Native to Garden origin. Photinia x fraseri is a hybrid between Photinia glabra and Photinia serratifolia, both native to East Asia. 'Robusta' is a vigorous cultivar of that hybrid, selected for strong upright growth and heavy red new foliage, and is one of the tallest Photinias in cultivation.

What is the Wildlife Value of Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia ?

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.

How much Sunlight does Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia need?

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred 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.

Is Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia Drought Tolerant?

Is Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia Drought tolerant?

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.

youtube

How To Plant Your Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

Formal hedge: 80 centimetres apart for a tight clipped line that closes quickly.

Informal screen: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense boundary screen.

Tall windbreak: 1.5 metres apart in a single row, or staggered at 2 metres in a double row for more depth.

Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year (approx.).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' – Robusta Photinia in Different Soil

Photinia robusta performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

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.