Photinia × fraseri ‘Pink Marble’

We’ve kept this one on our Thurning ground for years. It’s a sport of the popular ‘Red Robin’ and shares its vigour, but with a brighter, more dramatic leaf. The new growth in spring is a startling pinkish-red, with splashes of pink variegation over the glossy green. As the leaves mature, they settle into a stable green with irregular creamy-white margins, giving the whole plant a lively, variegated look year-round.

This is a bushy, upright shrub that will reach about 4 metres if left to its own devices, with a similar spread. It has an average rate of growth. It’s not too fussy about soil, as long as it’s fertile and doesn’t get waterlogged. For the best colour, give it a spot in full sun or just a little light shade. It’s a good idea to plant it somewhere sheltered from the harshest winds.

To get the best from it, give it a light trim after the first flush of colourful leaves begins to fade. This encourages another burst of the pink foliage later in the season. It responds really well to pruning, which makes it a reliable choice for a dense, evergreen hedge. It also works well as a standalone shrub where its changing colours can be properly appreciated.