There are some plants that have become standards in our gardens. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is one of them. Camilvy was selected by a keen Dutch nurseryman who felt the dark ruby foliage would be a great color to contrast with the red foliage of Red Robin. He named it after his two daughters, Camilia and Ilvy.
It prefers a moist but well drained soil and enjoys part to full sun. It has soft white flowers in spring with deep ruby foliage in spring and summer that softens to dark green over winter. Photinia x fraseri ‘Camilvy’ ultimately grows to around 4m x 4m making it an excellent specimen tree for a small suburban garden. However it performs best as a medium to large hedge with an annual prune in early to mid spring. Follow this with a feed of Osmocote slow release fertiliser. Plant as a hedge at 1m spacings. It can also be shaped into a ball or any other shape and kept in a large tub on the patio or verandah.
