Lush Bloom Of Photinia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Evergreen or deciduous, thermophilic and frost-resistant trees and shrubs of the genus Fotinia give a lush snow-white bloom in late spring - early summer. Leaves falling for the winter wear a bright red outfit in the fall

Rod Photinia

The name of the genus

Photinia (Photinia) served as glossy leaves of evergreen representatives of the community, because in translation from Greek the word means "shiny". Although their deciduous relatives do not shine with the surface of the leaves, they have the usual matte plant leaves.

The leaves change their color from red to green or from green to red. The first transformation is characteristic of evergreen, leathery to the touch, leaves, which at the moment of appearance are red, gradually degenerating into green. Green, falling for the winter, the leaves acquire a bright red color by autumn. Such are the freaks of nature.

In spring and summer, the trees seem to be covered with snow flakes, so large inflorescences, panicles or shields, collected from white flowers, are abundantly located on the branches.

Oval or round small bright fruits turn red as they ripen, complementing the decorative effect of the plant.

Varieties

* Photinia Bovara (Photinia beauvardiana) is a deciduous tree that can withstand low temperatures. In late spring - early summer, the branches are covered with inflorescences-shields of white flowers, which in summer turn into dark red berries-fruits. Autumn adds red to the plant by painting the leaves.

* Photinia Bentama (Photinia bentamiana) - evergreen leaves of this species are copper-colored; are not afraid of frost; do not like calcareous soil.

* Photinia Davidson (Photinia davidsoniae) is an evergreen that does not like the wind blowing through the branches. Therefore, a place protected from gusts of wind is chosen for him. Shoots of this species are born red in spring, but as they grow, they become dark green and glossy. Flowers appear in May, but rarely comes to fruit.

* Fotinia Frasera (Photinia x frasen) - hybrid child

Photinia serrata (Photinia serrulata) or

Chinese and

Photinia smooth (Photinia glabra). From her parents, Fotinia Frasera received shoots, which, when they appear, turn copper-red with time. Evergreen leaves eventually acquire a dark green color and a glossy leathery surface. Although the leaves do not fall off in winter, the plant is frost-resistant if planted in a wind-protected place.

Growing

Photinia is popular in areas with warm and temperate climates, as its decorative effect extends to all seasons, thanks to the bright color of the leaves, abundant snow-white flowering and red-orange fruits.

Photinia loves well-lit areas, exposed to the sun's rays, but protected from the treacherous wind.

The frost resistance of some species is limited by a temperature of minus 15 degrees, so such a tree cannot be grown in Siberia. But in central Russia, provided that the plant is protected from the wind, it is quite possible to have a flower riot of Fotinia.

Fotinia has a problem with soils: calcareous soil is not suitable for deciduous species.

Plants do not need a special shearing. Unless, poorly located shoots, as well as damaged or dry branches, should be removed.

During dry periods, plants need watering, but stagnant water should be avoided so as not to provoke disease.

Reproduction

Reproduction of Photinia is carried out in the summer. To do this, cuttings are harvested from the shoots of the current year and buried in a mixture of peat and sand.

Rooted cuttings overwintered in an unheated room are provided with personal containers, planted in open ground in the fall or next spring.

Enemies

Can affect fungal diseases and worms.