Glossy medlar high trunk as a fiery star in the garden, on the terrace and balcony

Are you looking for a special botanical highlight in your garden or on your terrace? How about a standard Photinia? Whether as a small stem in a pot or a Photinia tree in a bed, this ornamental plant brings spectacular accents with its durable, winter-resistant green foliage and brightly red new growth. It is also easy to care for and shape. If you want to buy a standard Photinia, for example, Photinia Devil's Dream® is already cultivated and available at your trusted nursery. Or would you prefer to try growing one yourself? That's not a problem either. This popular variety of Photinia with its fiery red shoots not only grows remarkably fast and dense but is also so tolerant to pruning that even beginners in shaping plants don't have to worry if something goes wrong.

High trunk: medlar, fruit and other shrubs

A blooming crown on a stem that rises above the rest of the planting: that's what a standard tree looks like for most garden owners. These are mostly half standards - at least according to a professional gardener. The stem height of such a standard tree is only 120 to 160 cm, while a proper standard tree starts at 160 cm and can reach up to 2 meters. From this height, you can easily walk under the crown. Standard trees are actually one of the oldest cultivated forms of fruit trees. This form has the advantage that the ripening fruits can be mowed, weeded, and animals can be kept underneath without any problems. This way, the available space is maximized. A rose, willow, or shaped stem, on the other hand, is intended to bring an additional level to the garden design and therefore does not need to be raised as high. However, if you still want a few more centimeters, go for the standard Photinia. A stem height of 180 cm is no problem for the fast-growing Photinia. With a little patience and care, a medium-sized tree can be created. You may wonder how tall a Photinia can grow? It is quite possible to have a Photinia standard tree measuring 250 cm, even up to 3 meters.

Devil´s Dream Hochstamm mit bis zu 180 cm Stammhöhe

Cut glossy medlar high trunk

If you bring a ready-made photinia high stem home, you only need to worry about maintaining its shape through pruning. Since Photinia Devil's Dream® sprouts quickly, even from old shrubs, you can look forward to a vibrant red carpet of leaves every year. Once the flowering is over, grab a sharp pair of shears suitable for the task. Examine your ball-shaped photinia high stem closely and cut off any branches or shoots that exceed the desired shape. Clean the trunk and restore the crown to a beautiful, full round shape. Of course, you can also train a photinia high stem into an espalier form. In this case, the crown is shaped into a square or rectangular form. Naturally, you can also grow a red photinia high stem yourself. This is a popular project among gardening enthusiasts, as you can watch the plant's vigorous growth. To do so, you will need a young Photinia Devil's Dream®. Cut back all the shoots except for one particularly strong one. This will become the main shoot and future trunk of your photinia high stem. Let it grow steadily upwards while keeping the side shoots small. Once the trunk has reached the desired height, you can shape the crown. First, remove any unwanted shoots and leaves from the trunk, and later, trim the upper part into a ball shape. If you need some guidance and are looking for tips on how to prune your photinia high stem, you can find videos, for example, on YouTube. Your favorite nursery may also have instructions on their website, or you can personally ask them. The experts will be happy to assist you.

Devil's Dream Photinia fraseri - high trunk cutting

Glossy medlar high trunk care made easy

Whether it's a photinia espalier high stem or a tree with a rounded crown: photinia doesn't need much to thrive. However, the better the conditions are, the fuller, stronger, and more vibrant it will grow. Therefore, it is best to choose a location in full sun or sunny partial shade for your photinia high stem. Photinia Devil's Dream® feels very comfortable in a south-facing front garden or a sunny terrace or balcony. A loamy, well-draining soil or suitable potting soil serves as the basis for healthy growth. As a sun lover, photinia needs enough water. Therefore, water your photinia high stem regularly, but make sure to avoid waterlogged conditions. In spring, also provide some slow-release or long-lasting fertilizer for your tree.

Photinia Devil's Dream - Its red leaf colour lasts until late summer