Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis

Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis is a vigorous photinia that undoubtedly deserves to be discovered. This superb Chinese arborescent species, which can exceed 6 m (19.7 ft) in height, bears remarkable deciduous foliage in spring and autumn, a highly decorative spring hawthorn flowering, and interesting fruiting at the end of the season. Superb as a standalone or planted in a mixed hedge, this large bush will thrive in deep, preferably non-calcareous, moist but well-drained and fertile soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis is a small tree or large bush of the Rosaceae family. It originates from western China and withstands our winters perfectly. With rapid growth, this bush develops multiple trunks and a wide crown. At maturity, it will reach an average of 6 m (19.7 ft) in all directions. Its superb deciduous foliage is a major asset of this photinia. Its young spring leaves are covered in fuzz and display beautiful copper and silver hues. As they unfold, they gradually turn green, becoming dark green in summer, then take on flamboyant shades in October before falling, in yellow, orange, and dark red. These large leaves are entire, elongated, oval-shaped, and finely toothed along the edges. Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of numerous umbel inflorescences, 5 cm to 8 cm (2 in to 3.1 in) in diameter, filled with small white flowers that are popular with pollinating insects. After pollination, the flowers give way to small round fruits, 5 mm to 8 mm (0.2 in to 0.3 in) in diameter, which successively turn from green to yellow to orange and finally red at the end of summer. The weight of the fruit clusters gracefully bends the branches of the photinia.

Create a stunning shrub border all year round with this magnificent Photinia: for example, combine it with witch hazel, pyracantha, Persian ironwood, Japanese maples, flowering dogwoods, and large Chinese azaleas. As it does not like drought or limestone, it will also thrive in the company of large hydrangeas. With its wide and bushy habit and magnificent foliage, it is also perfectly suited for the formation of free hedges, with the aim of creating a stunning screen with changing colours.

The genus name Photinia is derived from the Greek word photeinos, meaning bright or luminous, in relation to their glossy foliage.