Photinia glabra Wonder Hedge

Common Name: Wonder Hedge Photinia (Photinia glabra ‘Wonder Hedge’)

Description:
Wonder Hedge is a refined, small-leaved form of Japanese Photinia, prized for creating vibrant, low-maintenance hedges. It offers glossy red new foliage emerging through winter and spring, transitioning through copper tones before maturing to dark green. It develops a naturally dense, self-branching habit that reaches about 2 m tall and 1.75 m wide, making it perfect for formal screens or colourful garden borders. This variety thrives in full sun, tolerates part shade, and performs well in a wide range of well-drained soils. With minimal pruning—trim by a third in late summer—you can maintain a striking, colour-rich winter hedge. Once established, Wonder Hedge is tolerant of drought, coastal exposure, frost, and wind.

Form:

• Shrub – Large (but compact)

• Tree – Small (if unpruned)

• Suitable for Hedging / Screening

Mature Size:

• Height: up to 2 m

• Width: up to 1.75 m

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Late Spring

• Rare repeat blooms later in Summer

Flower Colour:

• Creamy-white clusters

Key Attributes:

• Evergreen

• Perennial

• Fast-growing, self-branching

• Vibrant red new growth for seasonal interest

• Excellent for hedging and screening

• Low-maintenance

• Drought tolerant once established

• Frost hardy (light)

• Wind tolerant

• Coastal hardy

Toxicity:

• May be mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities—avoid planting where grazing animals frequent

Care Tips:

• Prune lightly after new growth flushes to encourage density and colour

• Plant in fertile, well-drained soil

• Mulch to conserve moisture, leaving space around the trunk

• Water regularly during establishment; reduce once mature

• Avoid overhead watering to minimise fungal issues

Companion Plants:

• Camellias – for layered foliage and bloom contrast

• Hebe – adds low evergreen presence

• Hydrangeas – for underplanting flowering contrast

• Lomandra – drought-tolerant groundcover to complement base

For more information and photos of this species, Warners Nursery has detailed information available to the public here