Photinia villosa

Deciduous shrub growing to 5 m tall with 5 m spread, hardy to UK zone 4. Hermaphrodite flowers bloom in May, seeds mature August to September. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils that are well-drained and moist. Prefers mildly acid to neutral pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun. Scented plant.

Description

A deciduous shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is grey to grey-brown and develops shallow cracks with age. The leaves are narrowly oval and 7.5 cm long by 4 cm wide. They taper to a point. They have fine teeth. They are dark green above. They turn red to orange in autumn. The flowers are small and white. They have 5 petals and pink anthers. They are borne in small flattened clusters. The fruit are egg shaped. They are 1 cm across and red. They are edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit is edible, though no preparation details are recorded. It is typically about 8mm in diameter, though occasional forms produce fruits up to 16mm. The leaves can be cooked, but are considered a famine food used only when nothing else is available.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are boiled then eaten with oil and salt.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is native to China, Japan and Korea. They grows in woods and by streams. In China plants grow in forests, waste places and near streams between 100-1,600 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, India, China*, Himalayas, India, Japan*, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam,

Propagation

Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it ripens in autumn. Stored seed will likely need stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Germination is usually good. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse through their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings can be taken in a frame — harvest shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are 8–10cm above ground, pot individually, and keep in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until rooting well, then plant out in summer. Half-ripe wood cuttings, 7–10cm with a heel, taken July/August in a frame, take about 2 months to root; overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring — fair to good success rate. Cuttings of almost ripe side shoots, 7–12cm with a heel, taken October/November in a cold frame, are lifted the following autumn and planted into permanent positions. Layering in autumn with partial severing of the layer about 12 months later and lifting the following spring gives a high percentage.

Other Uses

The wood is hard and heavy, making it suitable for furniture and other small articles. The plant is noted for its scent.

Production

In China plants flower in April and May and fruit in August to September.

Other Information

A famine food.

Notes

There are about 60 Photinia species.

Synonyms

References (13)

• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 789
• Coombes, A.J., 2000, Trees. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks. p 257
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1032
• Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 9
• Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 231

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