Pink Marble Photinia

Pink Marble Photinia (Photinia serratifolia 'Pink Marble') is the screening shrub for people who find a plain green hedge dull. Left untrimmed it reaches about 2.5m tall and 2m wide, and each flush of new growth comes through marbled in pink, cream and soft green before settling to a green and cream variegation.

Why you'll love it

• New growth that does the work of a flower. Pink and cream marbling on every flush, and pruning triggers a fresh one.
• The right size for a suburban boundary. About 2.5m by 2m untrimmed, which screens a fence line and a ground floor window without turning into a tree.
• Evergreen and dense. It holds foliage through winter and branches freely when clipped, so the screen works all twelve months.
• White flowers the birds use. Clusters of small white flowers in spring bring insects and birds in if you let it grow out.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart for a dense screen. At that spacing the plants knit into a solid wall within two to three seasons while each keeps enough light at the base to stay furnished. For a looser informal row, stretch it to 1.5m.

Feature planting. A single plant clipped to a ball or standard makes a strong entry statement, and the variegation lifts a dark corner.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider holds it at around 1.5m to 2m indefinitely, though potted plants dry out fast in summer.

Growing Pink Marble Photinia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun through to partial shade, and part shade is often better, because harsh afternoon sun can scorch the pale sections of the leaf. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens and handles frost well. The wet tropics is not a good bet, since constant humidity encourages leaf spotting.

Soil. Well drained soil with compost worked through the bed. It is not fussy about type but will not accept waterlogging, so raise the planting on heavy clay. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper to weekly. Feed a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and mid summer to drive the coloured flushes.

Pruning. Trim two or three times through the warmer months. Each cut brings on a new pink flush, so frequent light trimming beats one hard annual cut. Avoid pruning in wet humid weather, which invites leaf spot into fresh cuts.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in three sizes: tube stock, 300mm pots and advanced 45L plants. Tube stock is young and single stemmed and is the value choice for a long boundary, adding a season to the time it takes to close. The 300mm plants are the usual middle ground, and 45L stock arrives already branched.

Some leaf drop or dulled colour after transit is normal and passes within a fortnight. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the complete photinia growing and pruning guide.
• Compare the alternatives in hedging and screening plants.
• Browse other variegated foliage plants.
• See our 2m to 4m screening range.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row. Closer planting does not close the gap any faster and makes the bases compete for light, leaving a thin patch along the bottom.

How is it different from Red Robin photinia?

Red Robin flushes bright red on plain green leaves and grows faster. 'Pink Marble' flushes pink over permanently variegated cream and green foliage, grows more slowly, and stays smaller at around 2.5m.

Why has my plant developed dark spots on the leaves?

Leaf spot, which photinias are prone to in warm humid weather, especially with overhead watering. Water at the base, thin the plant to improve airflow, and remove affected leaves.