Photinia beauverdiana (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 5m
Eventual Spread: 4m
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Rosaceae
Photinia beauverdiana is a deciduous large shrub or small tree with a rounded habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate to obovate with serrulate margins, up to 12cm long and 5cm broad. Its new leaves appear red in spring and turn red in autumn before they fall. Its branches. Its trunk. Its bark. Its white flowers are up to 7mm across, appear as corymbs that are up to 10cm across. Its red/ purple fruit are spherical and up to 6mm across.
Photinia beauverdiana Berries (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Photinia beauverdiana, commonly known as Thunberg Photinia, is native to east China and Taiwan. In its native habitat it grows on river sides, thickets and forests. Photinia beauverdiana is synonymous with Pourthiaea beauverdiana.
The etymological root of the binomial name Photinia is derived from the Greek photeinos meaning shining in reference to its glossy leaves. Beauverdiana is named after Gustave Beauverd (1867–1942), a Swiss botanist.
The landscape architect may find Photinia beauverdiana useful as an attractive specimen shrub or small tree. It may also be used as a formal hedge. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Photinia beauverdiana flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its berries are attractive to some birds.
Photinia beauverdiana Leaf (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Photinia beauverdiana prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil.
Photinia beauverdiana requires little maintenance.
