Photinia Fraseri Magical Volcano Christmas Berry

Photinia Fraseri Magical Volcano is a handsome evergreen shrub with red leaves in spring and autumn. It’s perfect for dense hedging, forming windbreaks, and attractive low-maintenance wildlife gardens.

Photinia species are very popular in the UK and there are many varieties bred from regular Photinia which is native to east Asia. The fraseri hybrids were selected by the Fraser nurseries in the USA, but Magical Volcano was bred by Peter Kolster in the Netherlands during 2009.

It’s also known as Christmas Berry Magical Volcano and it has particularly bright new red growth in spring that lasts longer than other fraseri varieties. Its new leaves reach 7-10 cm and gradually mature to glossy dark green with deeply toothed margins over the summer. As autumn approaches its foliage changes once again to deep orange-red shades before reverting to green when the sun returns in spring.

In spring small panicles of white flowers emerge which are very attractive to pollinators before turning into small red berries in late autumn to match its foliage. Its berries often stay in place until late winter hence the alternative name Christmas Berry.

This is an excellent hedging shrub with interesting colour changes and leaves dense enough to block wind and nosy neighbours.

Height and Spread of Photinia Fraseri Magical Volcano
Christmas Berry Magical Volcano reaches a maximum of three metres in height by two metres in width.

How Hardy Is Photinia Fraseri Magical Volcano
It’s hardy down to minus temperatures and good in an exposed spot if its roots are well drained and it has partial or full sun.

How To Use Photinia Fraseri Magical Volcano
Photinia Fraseri Magical Volcano is an excellent vividly coloured hedging shrub that provides privacy and plenty of cover for wildlife too. It’s can add extra height to fencing, separate driveway spaces, and create windbreaks around seating areas or tender plants.

How To Care For Photinia Fraseri Magical Volcano
Magical Volcano is an easy-to-grow shrub that will tolerate exposure and low temperatures. It prefers full sun to partial shade and will cope with the majority of well-drained but moisture-retentive soil types.
Pruning isn’t necessary unless you want to manage its height and spread, in which case prune it back to an outward-facing bud in early spring.
Water it well until you see new growth and apply a thick layer of organic mulch to the roots in spring for the brightest red foliage display and quickest growth.