Old fashioned photinias, which are now rare, are thorny and messy with copious berries. Almost all modern photinia, though, are Fraser’s photinia, Photinia X fraseri. It is a hybrid that is both thornless and fruitless. It is also among the most popular plants for evergreen hedges and screens. Therefore, it is readily available from nurseries and garden centers.

After shearing, Fraser’s photinia develops richly reddish bronze new foliage. Such color eventually fades to dark green. However, the process repeats after each shearing, which may be three times annually. Shearing also enhances foliar density, and refines hedges. Bronze color is best in spring, after late winter shearing. It fades slightly faster in summer.

Without shearing, Fraser’s photinia can become a small tree as tall as fifteen feet. Foliar color is less vivid, though, and only develops once for spring. Also, unshorn trees bloom, often profusely, with big trusses of tiny white flowers. Some find the floral fragrance to be objectionable. Compact or variegated cultivars of photinia may sometimes be available.