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 Use as a hedge or for four-season interest in a winter garden. 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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 9 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Broad; Multi-stemmed; Oval
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are white, foetid, and less than an inch in size. Infloresence is a cyme, terminal, and 4"-6" long.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Plant produces a red, globose, berry-like pome that is less than an inch in diameter.
Armored Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants; Scale Insects Found on Flowers and Foliage; Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants
Disease problems
Phytophthora Blight and Root Rot on Annuals and Herbaceous Perennials