Photinia glabra ‘Rubens’

Photinia glabra 'Rubens' is the hedge that repaints itself. Every trim triggers a flush of brilliant red new leaves over the deep green base, so the colour returns on demand, several times a year. Left alone it grows to about 3.5m tall and 2.5m wide, but it is happiest clipped, and planted 80cm apart it builds a dense, glowing hedge from inexpensive tube stock.

Why you'll love it

• Red new growth on demand. The scarlet flush follows every trim through the growing season, not just in spring, so the display is in your hands.
• Fast to a real hedge. It is a quick grower that thickens rapidly under regular clipping, closing the gaps sooner than most formal hedge choices.
• Hardy across most of the country. Frost hardy yet heat tolerant, it performs from cool temperate gardens through to the subtropics.
• Takes shaping beautifully. Fine, dense branching suits formal hedges, topiary balls and clipped standards alike.
• Cheap to plant at scale. Sold as tube stock, a long boundary costs a fraction of what advanced hedging would.

Where it works best

Hedging. Plant 80cm apart for a dense hedge held anywhere from 1.5m to 3m. At that spacing tubes knit into a continuous line within a couple of seasons.

Screening. Left taller and trimmed less often, it makes an informal 3m screen with white spring flowers in the years you let it bloom.

Topiary and feature shapes. The tight regrowth holds crisp edges, and each clip is rewarded with a fresh red flush.

Growing Photinia glabra 'Rubens' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the strongest red colour and the densest habit; light part shade is workable. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean climates and is fully frost hardy.

Soil. Adaptable to most soils with reasonable drainage. Dig compost through poor ground before planting a hedge run and mulch the row well.

Water and feed. Water tubes twice a week through their first summer. Established hedges are drought tolerant and wind tolerant, needing help only in long dry spells. Feed in early spring and again after a hard mid season trim.

Pruning. Trim two or three times through the warm months. Each cut brings the red flush back within weeks, and regular light trims beat one savage annual cut for density.

What to expect when it arrives

Rubens is sold as tube stock: small plants around hand height with vigorous young root systems. Tubes look modest against a finished hedge photo, but they establish faster than potbound larger stock, and at 80cm spacing a run of ten covers 8m of boundary. Expect a usable low hedge by the second season in warm districts and a solid screen by the third or fourth.

Tubes are packed snugly and travel well. Orders are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to create a great hedge and keep it looking sharp
• Photinia Red Robin, the larger leafed classic
• Compare hedging and screening plants

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

80cm apart in a single row. Closer wastes plants; wider leaves you waiting an extra season for the line to close.

How do I keep the red colour coming?

Trim. The red is the colour of new growth, so every clip through the warm months resets the display. Hedges trimmed two or three times a year stay almost constantly tipped in red.

How long until tube stock makes a real hedge?

In warm climates with water and feed, expect knee to waist height in the first full season, a usable hedge in the second, and a dense 2m screen by year three or four.

Is it safe around pets?

It is not sold as a pet safe plant, because the seeds contain compounds that are toxic if eaten. A regularly trimmed hedge rarely sets fruit, which keeps risk low, but do not let dogs chew berries if you leave it to flower.