Evergreen shrubs provide year-round privacy, add structure to the garden in both summer and winter, and bring color to the dull season with their rich green foliage. Particularly appealing are shrubs that not only stay green but also offer exciting color changes throughout the year. One such plant is the Photinia Devil’s Dream®, which glows fiery red before transforming into dark green foliage by late summer.
Shrubs that retain their foliage year-round include rhododendrons, holly (Ilex), privet, bamboo, and classics like cherry laurel and boxwood. However, not all are the best choice for a sustainable and long-lasting garden. For example, cherry laurel is considered invasive, providing little benefit to native wildlife and potentially outcompeting local species. In some countries, planting it is even prohibited. Boxwood has fallen out of favor due to the widespread box tree moth infestation, leading many garden centers to stop selling it. As a result, many gardeners now choose alternatives that are just as easy to prune and maintain. Among them is the Photinia, which delights with fiery red new growth turning into deep green leaves, offering year-round foliage color. Its white flowers also provide food for various insects.
The Photinia Devil’s Dream® is a hardy, low-maintenance plant suitable for both partially shaded spots and sunny, Mediterranean-style gardens. In very sunny locations, the foliage turns an especially intense red. However, the Photinia dislikes waterlogged soil but adapts well to drier conditions.
Shrubs that keep their foliage year-round are ideal for privacy. To provide sufficient coverage, the chosen plant should reach a minimum height. While evergreen shrubs up to 1 meter tall can define boundaries or structure flower beds, they won’t block prying eyes effectively. Taller plants—growing 2 meters or more—are better suited. The Photinia Devil’s Dream® can grow up to 2.5 meters, making it perfect for natural privacy screens.
While the variety of evergreen garden plants is large, options for small spaces like balconies or tiny front yards are more limited. These plants should not take up too much space but still offer attractive growth and remain stable despite restricted root space. Which evergreen shrubs are suitable for containers on the terrace? Though cherry laurel and boxwood are obvious choices, they are not ideal for reasons already mentioned. Other options include holly, barberry (Berberis), certain bamboo species, and rhododendrons. Each has drawbacks: holly produces berries toxic to children and pets, barberry has thorns, bamboo can be sensitive to frost and cold winds, and rhododendrons require very large pots due to their spreading habit. If you want evergreen shrubs for balcony and terrace containers without worrying about these issues, Photinia Devil’s Dream® is the ideal alternative. It can grow as a privacy screen or as a structural frame, even in limited spaces. Its high tolerance for pruning makes shaping easy, and regular trimming encourages even more spectacular red growth. You can even buy Photinia as a standard tree or shape it yourself. This form also allows for underplanting to make the most of the available space.
Hedge element with photinia: Designing a colorful hedge
Red Photinia - Ideas & Tips
How many plants do you need per meter for a Chinese photinia hedge?
