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Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, south facing, west facing
Position in border:
Middle

Soil

Well Drained / Light / Sandy

The Christmas berry, Photinia beauverdiana, is a deciduous shrub native to the mountains, rivers and woodlands of China, North Vietnam and Bhutan. It's grown mainly for its autumn and winter colour – in autumn its leaves turn a fantastic shade of orange before falling, while its showy red berries remain long into winter, and are particularly prominent at Christmas. It's not without its beauty in spring and summer however; its leaves emerge purple-brown, maturing to dark green, which are complemented beautifully by masses of tiny cup-shaped white flowers in early summer.

Grow Photinia beauverdiana in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. It can be prone to leaf spot, so choose a ventilated area and avoid getting water on the leaves. Prune in winter to increase air circulation. Propagate by cuttings.

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Fruitsyesyesyesyesyes
Take cuttingsyesyesyes
Pruneyesyes

Photinia and wildlife

Photinia has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Photinia poisonous?

Photinia has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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