PYRACANTHA

Pyracantha has many uses in the garden, but is probably most commonly grown as an evergreen, wall shrub. Cultivated in this manner, Pyracantha produces a prolific and eye-catching display of berries. In the autumn and early winter, glowing, brightly coloured berries greatly enhance walls – especially when an orange-berried variety is grown against red sandstone. Pyracantha is, perhaps, also best confined to vertical growth against a wall in order to keep its thorny armour at a safe distance. It is, however, quite often left to grow as a free-standing shrub in spacious gardens or landscape plantings where it can reach a height of about three metres. Although it is most well known for the vibrant colour of its berries, the flowers are also extremely attractive in late spring. Almost all varieties have white or cream coloured flowers, and if the plants are situated in a sunny aspect, a haze of abundant blossom is guaranteed.
Pyracantha is a member of the rose family, and like many climbing roses, if grown against a wall, it prefers a warm, south-facing position. Young specimens will become established quite quickly if they are provided with free drainage and an open soil. If the soil is heavy, it is a good idea to incorporate grit and organic matter; leaf mould or well-rotted material from the compost heap are ideal. Young roots have an abhorrence of wet, compact soils and struggle to survive, especially throughout the winter months, when the soil is also cold. Like many newly planted specimens of hardy, evergreen plants, Pyracantha may suffer adversely from a combination of continuous damp and cold.
Flowers and berries are produced on wood that is at least one year old and this must be remembered when pruning. During the summer months, straggly growth can be removed for cosmetic reasons, but it is best to do the majority of formative pruning just as the flowers are beginning to fade. The presence of flowers acts as an indicator for the potential crop of autumn berries. Harsh pruning that removes flowers also precludes the later display of berries.
Copious quantities of berries produced by Pyracantha can become the object of desire for birds, especially blackbirds, and it is not unknown for them to strip whole plants. It has been noted that the birds are not so keen on yellow-berried varieties such as P. rogersiana ‘Flava’ This popular variety has been awarded a Royal Horticultural Society "Award of Garden Merit". Birds are also attracted to wall grown specimens as potential nesting sites; the dense tangles of short, twiggy branches provide perfect cover and protection.
One of the most commonly grown species, and most abundantly fruiting, is P. coccinea with bright, coral-red berries. This species was introduced to Britain in 1629 and is the origin of many varieties including ‘Lalandei’ which has vigorous growth and large, orange-red berries.