Red Bird™ Indian Hawthorne. We found this Indian Hawthorne in the garden of our friend Mr. Akari Shibamichi in Japan. We refer to him as Japan's national treasure for his ingenuity is discovering and developing new plants. This plant may become the South's next Redtip. Of course the original "Redtip" was Photinia fraseri, but it succumbed to entomosporium leaf spot all over the Southeast, a fungus disease which attacks Photinia and its close relative Indian Hawthorne, leaving purplish-black spots which eventually defoliate and kill a plant. But this selection is practically resistant to this disease. It is noted for is brilliant red new growth, pink flowers and a compact upright growth habit. It does best in full sun, but my original cuttings from Japan are growing in almost complete shade without a spot of the leaf spot and covered with pink flowers. And this is in spite of overhead irrigation daily during the summer.
Zones 7-9
