I would like to plant a hedge of red tip photinia. I love the variety with the beautiful white blooms. I see lots of hedges that just have the leaves and no flowers. Does anyone know the names of the flowering varieties?
Red Tip Photinia
Don't do it! "Red-tip" Photinia (Photinia x fraseri) are notoriously known for getting Entomosporium leaf spot. And it kills them. If you really like the blooms and red leaves, and can find it in a nursery, go for Chinese Photinia (Photinia serrulata). It is one of the mother plants of the cross that created Red Tip photinia. They don't get quite as red, but I think their blooms are much bigger and prettier. They also seem to grow wider than the red tips.
And they don't get the fatal diseases of Red tip photinia. These may be what you are thinking about when you think about the big blooms anyway.
Chinese Photinia are an Old Garden Plant. Beautiful Mature specimens can be found in many early to mid 20th century neighborhoods. There are several here in the McKinney Historical district. They are beautiful when they bloom in the spring. When Red-tips started being sold, people stopped buying Chinese Photinias and the nurseries eventually stopped carrying them. Forest Farm does sell them though and if you call around you may be able to find a local nursery who does.
Forest Farm http://davesgarden.com/products/ps/go/58261/
Moyer Tree farm in San Antonio also grows them. http://www.mtfsa.com/inventory.htm