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Taiwanese Photinia

Photinia serratifolia

Other Common Names

Chinese Photinia, Photinia

Plant Category

Shrub, Tree

Invasive Description

Native to Asia, Taiwanese Photinia is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to 15 to 30 feet tall. New growth is pale green with hint of red. Clusters of white, unpleasant smelling flowers appear in spring or summer. It can be drought tolerant after it is well established. Photinia is widely grown as a hedge. It is readily available in nurseries. Photinia is susceptible to fungal diseases when conditions are wet and humid. Entomosporium maculatum fungus is a particular threat and so severe that the plant’s landscape use is gradually disappearing in the South.

Ecological Threat

Taiwanese Photinia overwhelms native shade plants, and because it is shade tolerant and evergreen, it can outcompete native vegetation in wooded areas.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions