30cm a year<\/strong>, making it great to plant in a place where you needs something quickly.<\/p>\nYou can encourage it to grow as big as it can, by providing its favourite conditions and giving it a strategic pruning once a year.<\/p>\n
They will not grow quite as big if they are not in the right conditions, but they are still a fast growing shrub that should be allowed space.<\/p>\n
It is always wise to prune your photinia no matter how big it gets, as this will encourage new growth and those beautiful red shoots.<\/p>\n
You can, of course, allow it to grow and spread as much as it likes – but watch out for it spreading too far and shading other plants.<\/p>\n
How Do You Encourage Red Robin To Grow?<\/h2>\n
Once you\u2019ve got your photinia in, you want it to be as healthy and beautiful as it can be, right? Obviously, the right conditions will give the best results.<\/p>\n
Ensure that is has enough sunlight<\/strong> – at least 5-6 hours a day – but don\u2019t panic as it will also grow in partial shade.<\/p>\nA photinia that doesn\u2019t have air circulation<\/strong> will not thrive – ensure that the breeze can get between its leaves and that it is not squashed into corners.<\/p>\nMake sure that the soil is well-draining<\/strong> – if it is too heavy then the plant will struggle to grow.<\/p>\nYou can add some fertiliser or manure<\/strong> to the soil – this will bring in some much-needed nutrients, and can also help the soil to drain better.<\/p>\nPruning<\/strong> is one of the best ways to encourage growth – and, in this case, to produce beautiful red foliage.<\/p>\nTrim the plant from the top<\/strong> to encourage it to bush out to the side more, as this is an area that it naturally grows more slowly.<\/p>\nYou can also deadhead the flowers<\/strong> when they are spent – this allows the plant to put more of its energies into growing new, healthy foliage.<\/p>\nWhat Month Do You Prune Red Robin?<\/h2>\n
All plants benefit from a little pruning once in a while – and in the case of red robin it might become necessary, as they are very good at growing!<\/p>\n
It is always best to wait until the plant is more dormant before you do a prune – hacking it back at the height of the growing season will stunt it.<\/p>\n
If you prune in early to mid June<\/strong>, just after the flowers are dying back, your plant will likely bounce back incredibly well.<\/p>\nPruning is easy – simply take some sharp secateurs and snip the stems, making sure to do so just above a leaf node.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, you can trim your red robin right back using a hedge trimmer if it has gone wild – it is very hardy and will simply regrow!<\/p>\n
Make sure that you do prune it, however, as it can grow large and unruly, and pruning it is the best way to keep it in shape.<\/p>\n
This video will show you the best and most effective way to prune red robin:<\/p>\n