About
An upright to spreading, evergreen shrub to 3m (10ft) high, with dark green leaves, and branches with less thorns than many of the other types. This cultivar has less thorns than other varieties. These are followed by a profusion of bright red berries in autumn. Dense clusters of small white flowers appear in late spring on the previous year's growth.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
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
CultivationSuitable for growing in any moderately fertile garden soil, in sun or partial shade, including very dry, free-draining soils, and heavy clays, as long as they are not prone to waterlogging. See pyracantha cultivation
PruningFlowers are produced mainly on stems produced the previous year, so pruning should aim to retain as much two year old growth as possible. Prune out unwanted growth and on mature shrubs, twenty percent of older wood, after flowering has finished each year
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, or by seed sown in spring, after three months of cold stratification, bearing in mind that cultivars won't usually come true from seed and seed raised plants can be of variable quality.
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