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If you are interested in a photinia, the growth rate is an important factor in the selection. In this article on the growth of the photinia, you can find out how fast the wood grows and what improves its vigour.
In a nutshell
- fast growing
- reach growth heights of up to 4 meters
- grow 20 to 60 cm annually
- well tolerated by cuts
- regular grooming required
growth rate
The photiniae belong to the genus Photinia, of which 66 species are known. A special feature of the shrubs is the rapid growth, because they can increase significantly in material every year. It should be noted that the growth rate can vary greatly from species to species. However, since all species grow quickly, the growth rate should be considered when purchasing a specimen. On average, the rose family (Rosaceae) grows 30 to 50 centimeters per year. Some taxa "only" grow 20 or 25 centimeters a year, while there are others that even grow a whopping 60 centimeters.
Individual species at a glance
A small overview of different species and their annual growth rate:
- Japanese photinia (Photinia glabra): 20 to 40 cm
- Laurel medlar (Photinia davidiana): 30 to 60 cm
- Red photinia (Photinia fraseri): 30 to 50 cm
- Saw-leaved medlar (Photinia serratifolia): 30 to 40 cm
Laurel medlar (Photinia davidiana)
Notice: Due to the rapid growth, photinas are ideal as a hedge or privacy screen. After a short time, the wood is high enough for these areas of application.
Regular grooming required
In order for your photinia to continue to grow every year, you must not forget the care cut. The fast growth rates can only be implemented in practice if the plant is not neglected. A care cut is particularly important for this, through which the plants maintain good vitality. Do not worry. The plants tolerate pruning well and grow back quickly. You should consider the following points when cutting a medlar.
- Timing is important for grooming. To avoid accidentally removing flower buds by cutting, you should only cut in autumn after flowering. October is recommended because you are not allowed to carry out any major pruning measures from March 1st to September 30th according to the BNatSchG (Federal Nature Conservation Act). Expect an overcast day with no direct sun or precipitation.
- It is only cut with manual, clean and sharp pruning shears and hedge shears, since electrical devices would damage the large leaves of the photinia. Such injuries can slow down the growth of the medlar.
- When pruning, the deadwood inside the crown is removed, as well as any shoots that grow crossways or outwards. They just rob the plants of unnecessary energy. It is important to remove dead branches, as these have a negative effect on the vitality of the photinia. If required, you can now adjust the height, width and shape of the medlar.
Tip: You can use the grooming cut to influence the shape of your medlar, giving it the desired height and width over the long term. The annual growth also allows for the easy repairing of clippings.
frequently asked Questions
How wide do photiniae reach?As with height, width depends on the Photinia species being cultivated. On average, the shrubs reach a width of up to two meters. Some species exceed this limit. If medlars are planted as a hedge, the width is ideal. Photinus do not spread much, which makes annual pruning easier.
What is limiting growth?The biggest problems for medlars are unfavorable locations and incorrect irrigation. It is important that the plants do not receive too much or too little water so that they can sprout again every year. Furthermore, the cutting measures must not be missed. Without pruning care, the plants become bare.
How can the growth of photinia be promoted?In addition to regular pruning, proper care and a supply of nutrients in spring are important. After pruning, the additional nutrients enable rapid growth over the next few months via a long-term fertilizer such as mature compost or suitable preparations. This is especially recommended for hedges.