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Pyracantha coccinea
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Pyracantha
Species: coccinea
Common name: Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea why we love them.
Pyracantha coccinea is a versatile plant if not a pretty plant and it's this versatility that we love.
Now, I'm not saying that Pyracantha is not attractive. Far from it.
In autumn the plant is spectacular, laden with colourful fruit. Fruits are red, orange or yellow depending upon the variety and the fruits last for a considerable time before being devoured by birds. The evergreen leaves provide us with all year interest and the small white early summer flowers are loved by bees and other insects.
It's just that Pyracantha coccinea and many related varieties are a little scruffy. But just before you score them from your wish list it's worth noting how well they respond to a regular prune making them compact neat and dare I say pretty attractive.
Where to place Pyracantha coccinea
'Useful' is Pyracantha coccinea's middle name. Reaching up to 4m in height and spread if left to its own devises Pyracantha responds well to pruning making it an idea wall shrub or hedge. The large thorns make it an excellent defense against intruders as does its ability to grow in a wide range of locations. For best results Pyracantha coccinea responds to a well drained, fertile soil in full sun where you will be rewarded with copious quantities of berries.
Care of Pyracantha coccinea
Since Firethorns are often trained as a hedge or wall shrub here are a few handy hints.
Hedges should be lightly pruned during early to mid summer.
Wall shrubs should be tided in regularly through the course of the year and protruding side shoots pruned back to a few inches.
Pyracantha coccinea at a glance
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