Photinia × fraseri ‘Pink Marble Cassinii’

This is one of those evergreens we’ve kept on for years, simply because the colour is so rewarding. The real spectacle is the new growth in spring, when the young leaves emerge bright red with bold, shocking-pink variegation. As the foliage matures, it settles into a lovely glossy green, irregularly margined with cream. This constant change provides interest right through the seasons.

It has a naturally bushy habit and can reach up to 4 metres in height if left to its own devices. We find it does best in a fertile, well-drained soil. It’s happy in full sun or partial shade, although the best colour is often in a sunnier spot. A bit of shelter from the harshest winds is always a good idea.

A light trim after the first flush of spring colour has faded will encourage another burst of the vibrant young leaves. This makes it a fantastic choice for an informal screen or hedge, but it’s just as happy making a statement in a large pot on the patio or as a feature shrub in a mixed border.