A lush, green garden where you can relax and where birds, insects, and other garden inhabitants find a home – who wouldn’t dream of that? However, creating such an oasis takes time, as every plant grows at its own pace. Fortunately, there are many fast-growing shrubs that quickly provide abundant greenery, laying the foundation for an individualized garden design. One such shrub is Photinia Devil’s Dream®. It grows quickly, boasts evergreen foliage, and is perfect for hedges and privacy screens. In addition, its fiery red leaves add striking accents to your garden.
Choose native plants or those well-adapted to local climate conditions. For example, mock orange and black elder thrive in northern climates as well as in warm southern summers. Their flowers are attractive to insects, and elderberries provide a tasty source of vitamin C for both humans and animals. While mock orange can reach heights of two to four meters, black elder can grow up to seven meters tall. Weigela, with its red flowers lasting until the first frost, can grow as tall as three meters.
All the shrubs mentioned grow vigorously, but they have one drawback: they shed their leaves in the fall. While they offer shade in the summer, they lose their function as privacy screens in winter. For year-round privacy, consider evergreen plants. You might think of cherry laurel or Thuja, but despite their fast growth and dense foliage, these are not ideal choices. Both are toxic and offer little ecological value. Cherry laurel is also invasive and has been banned in Switzerland. Thuja is prone to diseases and can develop bare spots if pruned incorrectly. In contrast, Photinia Devil’s Dream® is low-maintenance, evergreen, and popular among birds as a nesting site and food source. Its flowers attract insects, and since it retains its foliage in winter, it serves as a privacy screen, hedge, and windbreak all year round. In summer, it also provides shade.
The various fast-growing shrubs – whether evergreen or deciduous – can be easily combined. This creates a vibrant garden design that shines with highlights throughout the year. A great combination is elderberry and Photinia. The red leaves of Devil’s Dream® contrast beautifully with the deep green foliage of elder. The black elderberries also harmonize well with the red leaf color of Photinia. Both plants grow rapidly, quickly forming dense, tall greenery. This combination is ideal for privacy solutions and shade providers with a distinctive flair. Additionally, they complement each other in terms of ecological diversity: while Photinia serves as a refuge for birds and small garden dwellers, elder provides flowers and berries as a food source.
When comparing different fast-growing shrubs, their growth rates vary:
- Weigela grows 20 to 40 cm annually.
- Mock orange adds 30 to 60 cm per year.
- Black elder grows 50 to 80 cm annually.
- The evergreen Photinia Devil’s Dream® grows approximately 50 cm per year.
To ensure fast-growing shrubs thrive, research their specific requirements beforehand. Pay attention to the right location and soil conditions. During the initial establishment phase, young plants need frequent watering. Avoid both drying out and waterlogging. Appropriate fertilization intervals provide energy for growth spurts, and regular pruning encourages new shoots. For Photinia Devil’s Dream®, pruning also enhances its vibrant red foliage, as the young shoots make the shrub appear ablaze with color.
Shadow provider in the garden with the Photinia fraseri Devil's Dream®
Hedge element with photinia: Designing a colorful hedge
Glanzmispel or Kirschlorbeer? Differences between the hedge plants
