Chinese photinia (Photinia serratifolia)

Taiwanese photinia (Photinia serratifolia) is a flowering shrub native to China. The Taiwanese photinia is planted in urban centers for ornamental purposes to augment greenery. The plant produces a fragrant scent, which some people enjoy and some people do not.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Photinia serratifolia (syn. Photinia serrulata), commonly called Taiwanese photinia or Chinese photinia, is a flowering shrub or tree in the flowering plants family Rosaceae, found in mixed forests of China, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India.

The tree is evergreen, with white flowers emerging in spring accompanied by red-colored leaves, and red fruits growing in autumn. It grows typically 4–6 m (13–20 ft), sometimes up to 12 m (39 ft), tall. Its leaves are toxic due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides. The flowers, blossoming in spring, typically last for one to two weeks. Its flowers are known to have a strong scent similar to that of human semen. The flowers have bell-shaped sepals split into five lobes, and around 20 stamens. The Ovary contains two to four locules, with one ovule in each locule. The tree produces a high amount of bright, red colored fruits that are small poems with diameters ranging from 4–12 millimeters (0.16–0.47 inches), each containing one to four seeds. The fruits, which ripen in autumn and survive through winter, are a food source to various kinds of birds, including thrushes, waxwings, and starlings. The seeds spread primarily through bird excretions.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

The Taiwanese photinia enjoys a sunny area which has partial shade, especially when planted in a hot climate. This is because the full sun can damage the plant when combined with continuously warm weather. If the environment is slightly cooler, then your taiwanese photinia will be able to withstand full all-day exposure to the sun. Tolerant of different conditions, it will still grow well in a shady location. However, insufficient sunlight will cause the leaves’ color to fade.

Temperature

Taiwanese photinia is an excellent plant for gardens across the world, as it requires minimum attention once it has matured. Taiwanese photinia thrives in temperatures between 16 to 26 ℃, and can also withstand temperatures as low as -12 ℃ if protected from harsh winds. However, it will start to die if temperatures drop below this. Taiwanese photinia doesn’t require much water and can tolerate drought rather than flooding.

Watering

Native to regions with moist, subtropical climates, Taiwanese photinia thrives in environments that mimic its natural habitat’s balance of moisture. This species is moderately drought-tolerant and favors consistent humidity levels without being waterlogged. For optimal health, Taiwanese photinia requires watering once every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. As an evergreen plant commonly grown outdoors, Taiwanese photinia’s ability to retain water in its leaves is essential for maintaining year-round foliage vibrancy, especially during seasonal changes when outdoor humidity fluctuates.

Soil

The optimum soil for your Taiwanese photinia is moist soil which is well-drained and fertile. While the taiwanese photinia can survive in both acidic and alkaline soils, the perfect pH value is around 6.5-7.5. As the Taiwanese photinia has a flat root system that cannot root deeply for nutrients, adequate nutrients are required in the soil for its growth. A loamy soil is recommended, which will allow adequate drainage but still hold nutrients.

Fertilizing

For optimal nourishment of taiwanese photinia, employ balanced nutrition fertilizers in spring and summer, and high-nitrogen blends during periods of active growth. Fertilize monthly with half-strength solutions to bolster health and vitality, ensuring a lush foliage display. Seasonal adjustments are critical; reduce applications in fall and suspend in winter. Precision in quantity matters—overfertilization can harm taiwanese photinia. Novice and adept gardeners must take care to follow label instructions and abstain from applying fertilizer directly to foliage or stems to prevent burn. These practices guarantee taiwanese photinia’s robustness and vigor.

Pruning

Left unpruned, taiwanese photinia will grow 30 cm each year, until it reaches an ultimate height of 4 m and 3.5 m wide. For this, you may prune your Taiwanese photinia twice a year to a manageable height of 1.2 m. Pruning your plant in spring and winter will also encourage the attractive red foliage which is loved by plant owners. The only exception to this pruning is that your Taiwanese photinia should not be pruned in the first three years of its life.

When pruning, simply cut stems above a leaf node to keep the plant healthy. Taiwanese photinia can be an irritant, so make sure to wear gloves while pruning. Additionally, it will bloom in spring and summer with small white flowers, which may have a strong, pungent smell. They will then develop into red berry-like fruit that is poisonous to dogs, cattle and humans, so you may choose to pinch the buds before flowering to prevent this.

Propagation

Taiwanese photinia is one of the easiest plants to propagate from a cutting. Cuttings should be done in summer. Simply take three 8 cm cuttings from strong, healthy stems just below a leaf node. After removing the lower leaves, plant all three cuttings into 10 cm wide pot with 4 cm of soil. Once potted, allow the pot to sit in a bowl of water for half an hour to absorb water and then cover the entire plant with a plastic bag and keep in a shaded position.

In three weeks, roots will have begun to develop so remove the plastic bag. Take good care and keep watering the plants. They will be ready to plant the following spring.

Transplanting

The prime period for moving Taiwanese photinia to a new home beautifully aligns with S3. This window is essential as it provides sufficient time for the plant to establish before the harsh weather. Transplanting success strongly depends on choosing a location with moist, well-drained soil and partial to full sun exposure. Always remember, a happy plant is a healthy plant!

Repotting

For Taiwanese photinia, a robust shrub with glossy leaves, repotting every 2-3 years supports its hearty growth. Best done in spring to coincide with its growth cycle, choose a container slightly larger than the root ball to prevent overwatering. Post-repotting, ensure well-draining soil and gradually reintroduce to regular watering to foster recovery and thriving growth.

III. Uses and Benefits 

Taiwanese photinia grows quickly and has very full foliage, so its most common use in its native range is as a greening agent in large cities. When kept pruned, smaller bushes can be used in parks and gardens as hedges and for screening. It is appreciated as a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate hard pruning.