Horticulture Magazine

Pyracantha ‘Firethorn’

pyracantha firethorn with bright orange berries
By APRIL FOOT
April Foot, BA (Hons) - Gardener

April is a writer specialising in gardening and the environment. She is an avid wildlife-enthusiast and adventure-seeker, and feels happiest when in the Great Outdoors. April graduated from the University of Southampton in 2013 with a BA (Hons) degree in English.

/ Updated March 23rd, 2023
Reviewed By PETER LICKORISH

Peter is a Horticulture Lecturer and self-employed Horticulturist, with a passion for diverse areas of the industry - from garden design to the science behind plant growth and propagation. He has completed the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture (MHort) Award and lectures on RHS courses at Bedford College.

/ Meets Our Editorial Guidelines

Pyracantha is an ornamental, evergreen shrub, characterised by its flaming red and orange berries, and sharp thorns – hence its other name, ‘Firethorn’.

It also produces cream-coloured blooms in summer, making it a great way to introduce colour to your garden year-round.

This is a fully hardy climbing or hedging plant, which grows well in the UK climate.

It makes an attractive and low-maintenance addition to almost any garden – and can be grown either as a freestanding shrub, or trained to grow along a wall or fence.

“This plant can really enliven an otherwise dull evergreen hedge with the unusual density of its flowers and fruits – few other plants will do a similar job so well,” says expert Horticulturist Peter Lickorish.

Reasons that make it an excellent choice for a hedging plant include that it’s fast-growing, has dense, evergreen foliage, and can reach heights of 4 metres if left unchecked.

Plus, its sharp thorns can work to deter unwanted visitors from entering your property!

Overview

Botanical NamePyracantha
Common Name(s)Firethorn
Plant TypeShrub
Native AreaEurope, South-East Asia, China and Taiwan
Hardiness RatingH6
FoliageEvergreen
FlowersWhite flowers, bright orange/red berries
When To PlantJanuary, February, March, October, November, December
Flowering MonthsJuly, August, September
When To PruneMarch, April
Sunlight

Preferred
Full Sun / Partial Shade

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered

Size

Height
2.5 – 4M

Spread
2.5 – 4M

Bloom Time
July – August

Soil

Preferred
Most Soil Types

Moisture
Moist but well drained

pH
Any

Pyracantha is native to Europe, South East Asia, China and Taiwan.1Pyracantha. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30154448-2

There are several species within the genus, which is part of the rose (Rosaceae) family.

It is a dense, evergreen shrub that grows quickly – the plant produces white or cream-coloured blooms in summer and red, orange or yellow berries in autumn and winter.

The largest varieties can grow to around 4m x 4m in size.

Due to its size, density and sharp thorns, it is often considered a natural form of security.

cream coloured pyracantha blooms in early summer

Whilst discouraging unwanted guests, pyracantha is also great for tempting more wildlife into your garden.

The blooms attract pollinators, whilst the red berries of autumn appeal to birds.

The thorns also provide protection for any native wildlife nesting or sheltering within its foliage.

Habitat & Growing Conditions

The natural habitat of pyracantha stretches from south-east Europe and the Mediterranean to south-east Asia.

The plant is well-accustomed to high daytime temperatures, and low night-time ones – it can tolerate partial shade, but will flower and berry best when grown in full sunlight.

Pyracantha grows in all soil types, including clay soil, as long as it has good drainage.

The plant is tolerant of drought but does not like to be waterlogged, so prefers its soil to be dry rather than too wet.

Pyracantha Varieties

Some varieties are more suited to being freestanding, whilst others are better for training and hedging.

Pyracantha Red Column with dark green leaves and bunches of very small berries
‘Red Column’

For example, ‘Red Column’ is a particularly fast-growing, thorny variety, with bright red berries and a height of around 3m, all of which makes for a great hedge.

Santa Cruz Prostrata Pyracantha with bright red berries
‘Santa Cruz’

‘Santa Cruz’ is smaller, reaching 1.5m, and is well-suited to container growth or ground cover.

There are also newer varieties of pyracantha that have been bred to be resistant to some of its most common diseases.

small, bright orange berries and lush green foliage of Pyracantha 'Golden Charmer' against a beautiful blue sky
‘Golden Charmer’

For example, the ‘Golden Charmer’ and ‘Teton’ varieties are resistant to pyracantha scab, and the ‘Saphyr’ series is resistant to both this and fireblight.

How To Grow Pyracantha

Pyracantha is a popular plant in the UK and is widely available.

You can purchase seeds or cuttings from garden centres, specialist growers or online retailers.

Note that if buying seeds, they will require 3 months of cold stratification before they will germinate.

If, as is advisable, you are buying a potted plant for transplanting, look for one with a good shape, and a decent colouring of berries, indicating a healthy plant.

red and orange Pyracantha bushes pruned into square shapes in front of a row of houses

Check it over to make sure there are no signs of pests or disease.

There are many varieties of pyracantha, and you can choose based on whether you want to grow it freestanding, trained or as a hedge, as well as what colour of berries you want.

Ongoing Care

Pyracantha can be planted year-round, although the best time is in the autumn or winter months.

Exposure

Try to find a sunny or partially shaded spot for it, as full shade will hamper berrying.

It can tolerate high and low temperatures, (down to -15°C), as well as wind – although again, this may hamper growth.

Soil Requirements

Pyracantha will grow in most soils, but it prefers a fertile, deep loam – prior to planting, enrich the soil with a bucket of well-rotted manure and a balanced fertiliser, mixing it in with a garden fork.

You can also feed the plant annually with a similar mix in spring.

Watering

You should water establishing plants frequently during the growing stages.

Once the plant is established, it requires little maintenance, and will likely only need to be watered during particularly dry spells.

It does not like to be waterlogged, as it is susceptible to root rot, so the soil should have good drainage.

Add coarse grit to heavy or clay soil if necessary.

Common Problems

There are several diseases that are common to pyracantha.

Pyracantha Scab

Pyracantha scab is a fungal disease that causes unsightly black spots on the shrub’s leaves and berries, shrivelled flowers, and leaf and flower dropping.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should cut back the infected parts (even though this will mean fewer flowers the following year).

You should also ensure that any infected material, such as fallen leaves and berries, is raked up and removed from the garden, as this is how the fungus survives over winter.

fungal disease pyracantha scab which has caused orange berries to turn black

In severe cases, use of an appropriate fungicide may also be required.

Fireblight

Another common problem is fireblight.

This is a bacterial disease that thrives in wet and warm weather.

It kills shoots, wilts flowers, and causes your plant to take on a ‘scorched’ appearance, with browned wood and cankers.

Treatment is non-chemical only, and involves pruning the affected branches back to expose healthy wood, cutting back at least 30cm past any damage, and removing any remaining new flowers before they open.

This is often how the bacteria enters the inner bark.

Both pyracantha scab and fireblight will ravage the plant from spring to autumn.

Pests

Common pests include the pyracantha leaf-mining moth, and aphids.

The leaf-mining moth lays its eggs on the plant, and the caterpillars then feast on its leaves from the inside, causing silvery ‘mines’ of discolouration.

This is most likely to occur during late winter to early spring.

Whilst it may look unsightly, most of the affected leaves will drop off and be replaced in spring, and the process has little effect on the overall health of the plant.

Lack Of Berries

Lack of berries is also often reported by pyracantha growers.

This is usually a result of unfavourable growing conditions, such as frost or cold weather, drought or lack of food.

green leaves of a firethorn plant

Make sure to water your plant during dry spells, and try adding a high-potassium plant feed to the soil in spring.

FAQs

How Fast Does Pyracantha Grow?

The plant grows quickly, which is partly what makes it such a suitable hedging plant. In ideal growing conditions, you can expect growth of up to 60cm each year.

If left unchecked, a single pyracantha plant can reach up to 4m high and 4m wide.

red berried firethorn trained in an espalier shape against a brick wall
How Can I Espalier (Wall Train) Pyracantha?

To espalier pyracantha, you should first fix horizontal wires across your wall, so you have something on which to attach the plant limbs.

Plant your pyracantha approximately 50cm away from the wall, in springtime. This ensures the roots are not in any dry shade or rain shadow from the wall.

This ensures the roots are not in any dry shade or rain shadow from the wall.

Using soft plant ties or twine, tie the centre shoots vertically up the wall, and the side shoots at a 45° angle.

Allow the plant to grow over summer, then re-direct the shoots horizontally in autumn.

“Training shoots horizontally often reduces vigour, but increases flowering and fruiting,” says Peter Lickorish.

Can I Grow Pyracantha In A Pot?

Yes, you can grow pyracantha in a pot or container – most plants start out this way before being transplanted to soil.

If you want to keep your plant in a container, choose a smaller variety that is suited to container growth, such as ‘Santa Cruz’, and plant it in a large pot, with good drainage.

A potted pyracantha coccinea bonsai tree with red berries
P. coccinea

Container-grown plants will require regular feeding and watering – although make sure that the soil never becomes waterlogged.

Prune the plant annually to prevent it from outgrowing the container.

What Are Some Alternatives To Pyracantha?

Similar hedging plants to pyracantha include Leylandii and Laurel.

These plants grow faster than pyracantha, so are a good choice if you need to establish a hedge quickly.

They also don’t have sharp thorns – if you want thorns for security, try hawthorn or blackthorn.

References

© 2024 TKO DIGITAL LTD | Company Registered in England and Wales No. 10866260 | This website uses cookies.