Photinia x fraseri ‘Magical Volcano’

These ones are grown by us as pretty half standards, a time-honoured form that brings year-round sculptural interest and in this case an explosive burst of colour to boot. Photinias are already synonymous with red, and ‘Volcano’ is a very choice form. The new growth on this hardy and evergreen shrub is ferociously crimson glossy and glowing, and the colour lasts a long time. It does flower: these are white small and delicate, produced in panicles and may be followed by glossy red berries. Into summer the noticeably toothed leaves mature to a deep rich green, and the combination of green shoots with the red new growth is very handsome. In autumn, the leaves become embers of orangey-red.

Plant these to flank an archway, to stand guard around doorways or use them for punctuation in a formal garden where their colourful globes can hover over borders of more sedate greens. We delight in being playful with our garden designs, and this one is super when it emerges aloft an underplanting of clipped green mounds and blobberies. Great blazing dollops of warmth when spring and autumn are chilly and you need something bright to look at.

A hardy and evergreen shrub, plant this one in sun or shade. Preferring fertile humus-rich and well-drained soil it will however grow in most aspects. Should be clipped lightly and regularly to maintain its shape.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.