Red Tip Photinia

The Red Tip Photinia shrub should be pruned in the late spring after flowering to encourage new growth. The most important reason for pruning these Red Tip bushes is to improve the overall health of the plant which in turn will reward you with a flush of new growth. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies and produce much more foliage. 

Another reason for pruning the Red Tip Photinia is to re-define the plant’s definition within the landscape. Many times a plant may outgrow its intended size in the landscape and must be pruned to re-define its purpose. Pruning should always be associated with re-invigorating a plant by allowing it to focus its energies on producing more vigorous branches, foliage, and flowers. 

It is important to always use sharp tools when pruning Photinias or any plant for that matter. Knives, hand cutters, saws, and shears should be sharpened, if necessary, before pruning any shrubs. A sharp cut will heal quicker than a jagged cut, which will also minimize the likelihood of disease investing a cut during pruning. It is generally recommended to not use power equipment, such as gas hedgers, to prune Red Tipped Photinia bushes or any plant.In general gardening terms, pruning is probably the most misunderstood gardening chore, and certainly, the chore that is most likely neglected. When we specifically look at pruning with regards to this shrub, this misunderstanding and negligence can be magnified.

This particular shrub is durable and tolerant. When taken care of properly and if it does not get infected by common diseases, such as Black Leaf Spot (see more about this disease below), it can live between 50 to 150 years. It makes for an excellent addition to any home or property, and can provide you with year-round visual interest and vibrancy if it’s well maintained.

One of the main reasons why a Red Tip Photinia can become affected by a fungal disease that causes Black Leaf Spot (fungus entomosporium). This fungus occurs during periods of high humidity, around the fall or spring seasons. The signs of this disease aren’t very noticeable at first, but it does continue to get worse with new seasons. Early signs of this disease start to show in small red spots that form on the leaf. Typically this goes unnoticed because people mistake it for the leaves undergoing its normal color change to red.

As it grows worse, those tiny red spots evolve into noticeable dark spots that eventually cover the entire leaf. The spread comes from new leaves and infects older, mature leaves.

The good news is that fungus entomosporium leaf spot is a common disease that can be treated and prevented! Good air circulation is needed to combat black leaf spots, which can affect photinias during periods of high humidity as mentioned above.

To maintain your shrubs as a healthy plant during wetter periods of the year, we recommend spraying them with Bonide Copper Fungicide. It will control the spread of various plant diseases, not just black spots, without hurting the beneficial bacteria and insects.

The other thing that can be done to prevent this from affecting your Photinia bushes would be to clean up all fallen leaves, especially diseased leaves, to promote sufficient air circulation and reduce the build-up of moisture that creates the ideal growing condition for black spot disease.

It’s always a good idea to provide your bushes and soil with extra nutrients by either adding nutritious, high-quality mulch (ground hardwood or cypress) or organic material to give it that extra boost.

No, the Red Tip Photonia shrub is safe to be planted in homes or properties close to both smaller pets, such as dogs and cats, and children. The leaves are not toxic to them, however, they may irritate seasonal allergies. 

However, the leaves and stems of the Red Tip Photinia bush is toxic to larger animals like horses or livestock. We recommend exercising caution with this bush and planting it at least 15 feet away from any stable, corral, or walkway where larger domesticated animals pass by. It’s also critical to keep the bush pruned properly so it doesn’t spread in areas that could come in contact with such animals.