Photinia hedges: Why Pittosporum will replace them by 2026

In countless new-build developments, the vivid red Photinia hedge has been the default choice along fences and property boundaries in recent years. That picture is now changing: fungal diseases are severely affecting the shrub, leaving entire rows bare. Garden planners expect another shrub with colourful, resilient foliage to replace it in many gardens by 2026 – while requiring considerably less maintenance.

From Thuja walls to the standard red hedge

For a long time, Thuja was the undisputed go-to option for anyone wanting to enclose a plot quickly and inexpensively. These evergreen arborvitae grew densely, formed tall, dark screens and reliably kept prying eyes out. At the same time, they depleted nutrients from the soil, provided barely any food for insects and created a monotonous look along residential streets.

From the 2000s onwards, however, problems began to emerge. Fungi such as Pestalotiopsis and Phytophthora caused severe damage to many Thuja hedges. Entire runs failed, turned brown or died back in patches. Many homeowners did not want to expose themselves to the same risk again.

Photinia, most commonly the ‘Red Robin’ variety, moved into this gap. Its principle was similar: a closely clipped, solid hedge, but with an added visual feature. New shoots emerge in bright red before later turning dark green – an effect that was especially sought-after in spring.

“Photinia was seen as the perfect all-purpose hedge: evergreen, fast-growing, readily available and with spectacular red new growth.”

Many garden centres switched their hedge sections almost entirely to this shrub. What few people anticipated was that the climate would change – and that disease risks would change with it.

Why Photinia hedges are now failing in large numbers

Milder winters and damp springs create ideal conditions for one particular fungus: Entomosporium maculatum, which causes the leaf spot disease affecting Photinia. Plant disease specialists have observed the pathogen spreading rapidly over recent years.

The fungus begins as small reddish spots on the leaves. These expand into brown patches, the tissue dies and the leaves can no longer photosynthesise. Soon afterwards, they turn yellowish and drop.

In densely planted hedges, just one wet season can be enough to lose between 15 and 30 per cent of the leaf cover. If this happens repeatedly for two or three years, all that often remains is a framework of bare branches.

• Small red dots – the first signs of fungal infection
• Brown, sunken patches – dead leaf tissue
• Heavy leaf drop – gaps in the hedge and loss of privacy screening
• High maintenance demands – continual cutting, leaf collection and spraying are required

Garden experts now regard the decline of many Photinia hedges as virtually irreversible, at least in particularly mild and wet regions. Anyone planting anew is looking for alternatives.

Pittosporum: the new favourite replacing Photinia hedges

Pittosporum, often sold under its botanical name or as mock orange, has long been familiar in mild areas. Until now, it was mainly found in coastal gardens or sheltered urban locations. As the climate changes, its suitable growing range is increasingly extending inland.

“Pittosporum combines consistently dense foliage with far fewer disease issues than Photinia – making it the preferred choice for many planners.”

Its main benefits at a glance:

• Evergreen, dense foliage – ideal for privacy screening
• Moderate growth of around 20–30 centimetres a year – easy to manage and not prone to running wild
• Numerous varieties with variegated or glossy leaves – providing visual variety
• Relatively undemanding in terms of water and soil – provided it is not left permanently waterlogged
• Noticeably resilient against the leaf fungi that cause Photinia such problems

In practical terms, a Pittosporum hedge generally needs only one light shaping cut each year to remain opaque. Where Photinia owners are battling fungicides, bags of fallen leaves and repeated rescue pruning, this shrub is more likely to need just a trim with hedge shears and occasional organic fertiliser.

A typical terraced-house garden example

The experience of many homeowners is typical: a woman had a 20-metre Photinia hedge planted several years ago. After three mild, wet winters, large sections of the row were almost leafless, allowing the neighbours an unobstructed view into the garden. Rebuilding the hedge completely with the same species would mean more work and considerable expense – with no guarantee of success.

The solution is to replace the old plants gradually with Pittosporum. After only two to three years, a closed privacy screen develops again, while requiring far less maintenance. For many garden owners, this is clearly more appealing than the continual stress of struggling Photinia rows.

Why single-species hedges are becoming outdated

Even where Pittosporum grows well, many specialists now advise against hedges made up of a single species. Thuja, cherry laurel and Photinia have followed the same pattern for decades: one shrub becomes fashionable, spreads through entire housing developments, then a disease or new pest arrives and affects whole streets.

Landscape architects now place greater emphasis on mixed hedges. The reason is straightforward: the more diverse the species, the lower the risk that a single fungus or insect will ruin the entire planting.

“Combining different shrubs creates a more attractive, more resilient hedge that is less stressful in the long term.”

What a resilient mixed hedge can include

Typical combinations for gardens in central Europe include:

• Pittosporum as an evergreen base with decorative foliage
• Elaeagnus ebbingei (oleaster) with silvery leaves and high tolerance
• Hazel as a classic native shrub that provides food
• Cornus sanguinea (common dogwood) for colourful winter stems

The result is a hedge that changes in appearance throughout the year: flowers in spring, fruiting displays in late summer and colourful bark in winter. At the same time, it attracts significantly more birds and insects than a uniform, tightly clipped wall.

Practical advice for moving away from Photinia

Anyone with severely damaged hedge rows should not simply fill the gaps with new plants of the same species. Fungal spores survive in fallen leaves, soil and woody debris.

• Remove heavily infected plants completely, including their root balls.
• Do not compost diseased leaves and pruning material; dispose of them with residual waste or through local collection facilities.
• Let the soil “rest” for several months and avoid watering it continually where possible.
• Plan new planting with as many mixed species as possible – using Pittosporum as a key element, but not as the only species.

Anyone unsure which varieties will tolerate winter conditions in their own area should consult a local nursery. Pittosporum copes well with light frosts, but in areas at higher elevation with severe frosts, it needs a sheltered position or winter protection.

What garden owners can expect by 2026

Many specialist firms expect a noticeable change in German and Austrian terraced-house gardens over the next two or three years. Old Thuja remnants will disappear, weakened Photinia hedges will fail, and more diverse hedges with new leading shrubs will take their place.

Pittosporum is likely to play a central part, especially in warmer regions and cities. In cooler locations, other hardy shrubs offering similarly low-maintenance qualities are suitable. The major trend is clearly moving towards mixed, climate-resilient hedges that provide both privacy and habitat.

Anyone redesigning their garden today should think beyond the next season and consider the coming ten to fifteen years. A hedge that grows more slowly but remains healthier saves a great deal of work, worry and money. It also makes the garden more alive – with more birds, more flowers and more colour over the course of the year.