About
A large evergreen shrub to 4m tall, with narrowly elliptic leaves and clusters of small creamy-white flowers in spring, followed by eye-catching orange-red berries.
About the genus
Pyracantha are evergreen shrubs or small trees, with spiny branches bearing simple leaves and corymbs of small white flowers followed by showy red, orange or yellow berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toChina
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Best sheltered from cold drying winds
PruningPruning group 1. On wall-trained plants after flowering in mid-summer, shorten lateral shoots to 2-3 leaves from the base to expose the developing berries
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late-spring onwards or propagate by seed. Extract seeds from berries in autumn, sow and keep in cold frame. Seeds need about three months of cold stratification before they germinate.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, caterpillars, brown scale and leaf-mining moths
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to pyracantha scab, honey fungus and fireblight