Practical
Plants

Photinia bodinieri

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
15 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit[3]. No more details are given. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[5].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

The wood is hard and heavy, suitable for making furniture and other small articles[6].

Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
E. Asia - C. China.
Habitat
Forest margins, thickets, valleys and rocky slopes at elevations of 300 - 1000 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Stored seed will probably require stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[7]. Germination is usually good[7]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings in a frame[5]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[2][7]. They take about 2 months to root and should be overwintered in a greenhouse, planting out in late spring[7]. Fair to good percentage[7]. Cuttings of almost ripe side shoots, 7 - 12cm with a heel, October/November in a cold frame[7]. Lift the following autumn and plant in their permanent positions[7]. Layering in autumn. Partially sever the layer about 12 months later and lift in the following spring. High percentage[5].

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained fertile soil in a sheltered position in sun or light shade[1][5]. Prefers a warm soil that is not too heavy or close[2]. Tolerates calcareous soils[2][5]. Dislikes windy sites[2]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[5]. It succeeds outdoors at Kew where it is damaged only in severe winters[2]. Best given the protection of a wall or a sheltered woodland position in areas where temperatures regularly fall below -5°c[5]. Plants are susceptible to fireblight[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. Succeeds in any good well-drained soil in a sunny position[4]. Fast growing once established[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

  7. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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