Firethorn (Pyracantha) looks great on its own, as a thick hedge or shaped into a topiary. It also provides food for bees and birds.
Firethorn (Pyracantha) is a thorny, evergreen shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) that grows naturally from southeastern Europe to southeastern Asia. This perennial shrub has dense, prickly branches. Depending on the type, it can grow between 6-20 feet (2-6 meters) tall. It can even be considered a small tree if it grows taller than five meters. Pyracantha makes an excellent evergreen hedge that provides extra security with its long, sharp thorns to keep out unwanted visitors.
Commonly known as Firethorn, it has medium-sized, glossy green leaves that are either spaced out or clustered together. The leaves are oval or lance-shaped. Depending on the type, their edges can be smooth or have small serrations. The white flowers bloom in umbrella-shaped clusters from spring to early summer on two-year-old branches.
Firethorn is good for protecting birds because its thorns stop predators like cats and martens from climbing up to their nests.
Like other plants in the rose family, firethorns have symmetrical flowers with five petals. Their abundant blooms attract insects like bees.
Best Firethorn (Pyracantha) Varieties
Since scab and fireblight are hard to treat, it is strongly recommend to choose the ‘Saphyr’ series of pyracantha. These plants have all the same qualities as regular types but were developed in France to resist both diseases.
There are three main ‘Saphyr’ varieties, which produce red, orange, or yellow berries. When young, these resistant plants look very similar to regular types, so it’s best to buy from a trusted supplier to avoid problems later on. Although the resistant varieties cost a bit more, they’re well worth it in the long run.
In addition, the varieties ˈSoleil d’Orˈ and ˈRed Columnˈ are not very prone to fire blight.
Pyracantha coccinea ˈSoleil d’Or’
It can reach up to 5-7 feet tall with 5 feet spread. The white scented blooms appear from May to June, followed by yellow fruits.
Pyracantha coccinea ˈOrange Glowˈ
The blooms occur from the end of May to the start of July, followed by orange-yellow fruits. It can grow up to a height of 8-11 feet with 8 feet spread.
Pyracantha coccinea ˈRed Columnˈ
ˈRed Columnˈ offers blooms from the end of May to June and red fruits. It can grow up to 6-9 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
When to Grow Firethorn (Pyracantha)
The best time to plant firethorn is from March to August. Firethorn usually comes as a container-grown shrub. Plant it at the same depth it was growing in its original pot. Plant three shrubs per meter or two if they’re larger for a firethorn hedge. If you’re planting a single firethorn shrub, keep it about 5 feet (1.5 meters) away from other plants.
Propagating Firethorn (Pyracantha)
From Cuttings
Take cuttings from slightly woody shoots between the end of July and September. Cut a piece about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long. Remove the soft tip and any leaves and thorns at the base. To help it root, dip the cut end in rooting powder. Plant the cutting about 2 inches (5 cm) deep in a pot filled with a mix of equal parts cutting soil and sand or gravel. Place the pot in a semi-shady spot with a temperature between 53-68 F (12-20 C), and keep the soil moist. Roots should develop in four to six weeks. Once the plant has enough roots and new growth, you can plant it outside.
Use peat-free substrate for planting cuttings.
From Seeds
You can grow firethorn (Pyracantha) from seeds, but it takes time. Collect the seeds in fall or winter, then soak them in water and rinse them to remove the pulp, which can slow down sprouting.
Plant the seeds right after cleaning them. Firethorn seeds need cold temperatures to germinate, and it can take 12 to 18 months to sprout.
Growing Firethorn (Pyracantha) in Pots
Firethorn can also grow well in pots. It’s best to pick a smaller variety, like ‘Soleil d’Or.’ In winter, protect the roots from extreme cold to prevent damage. Use an 18-inch (45 cm) or larger container for this purpose.
Feed your potted Pyracantha between mid-March and mid-August with a handful of bone and blood meal. Also, water the plant regularly but wait till the top 1 inch of soil becomes dry to touch.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Firethorn (Pyracantha)
Location/ Light
Grow firethorn in a sunny location, though it can do well in semi-shaded areas. However, the less sunlight it gets, the fewer flowers and berries it will produce.
Soil
Pyracantha can grow in different types of soil as long as it has good drainage, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Avoid planting it in very fertile soil, as too much nitrogen can cause rapid growth, which makes the plant more likely to get fire blight, a severe disease that reduces berry production.
Before planting, improve the soil by adding a bucket of well-rotted compost and 70-100g per square meter (2-3oz per sq yd) of balanced fertilizer, then mix it into the soil with a fork. Don’t add compost or fertilizer to the bottom of the planting hole.
Water
Firethorn (Pyracantha) needs only a little water, as it prefers fairly dry soil. These shrubs can handle long dry spells, but it’s essential to water them during very extended dry periods.
In the initial years, the plant needs watering to get established. After that, they rarely need watering. However, wall-trained plants might need water every 10 days during dry spells.
Firethorn (Pyracantha) Care
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced-general-purpose fertilizer of NPK in a ratio of 20-30-20 or 18-24-16 annually in the growing season. You can also apply a thick layer of well-rotted organic matter.
Pruning
Wear thick gloves while pruning Firethorn as it has long, sharp thorns.
Pyracantha mainly flowers on the shoots that grew the year before, so when pruning, try to keep as much two-year-old wood as you can.
Remove any shoots that are badly affected by pyracantha scab, which are easy to recognize because their leaves and berries will be covered in ugly black spots.
Pyracantha usually grows back well even after heavy pruning, which makes it a good choice for renovating overgrown plants.
Trim firethorn (Pyracantha) hedges two or three times from spring to the end of summer. Try to keep as many berries as possible, but some will likely be lost while you maintain the shape of the hedge.
Prune Pyracantha to make the berries more visible and to maintain the shape of the plants. In spring, cut back any shoots that are growing outward and shorten other growth as required.
In late summer, shorten all the side shoots that grow from the main branches and stop just before the clusters of berries (about two to three leaves from the base of the side shoot).
If you want to expand the plants, tie new leafy shoots to wires or a trellis. While the shoots are still flexible, you can shape them to frame doors or windows.
Repotting
This shrub can be grown in pots, but it doesn’t respond well to repotting. To avoid it, choose a larger pot, at least two to three times bigger than the nursery pot. Use a well-draining potting mix and make sure the pot has large drainage holes.
Remember, potted plants usually need more frequent watering than those planted in the ground.
Overwintering
Firethorn is hardy down to 68 F (-20 °C), so it doesn’t need extra protection in winter. However, if the evergreen shrub isn’t in a shady spot, it’s helpful to give it some shade in winter. This is because sunny winter days followed by freezing temperatures can harm the leaves. The sun causes the leaves to lose moisture, which can lead to damage when it gets very cold.
Unlike firethorn planted in the ground, potted Pyracantha needs some protection from the cold. The best way to prevent frost damage is to keep the plant in a bright, cold place where it won’t freeze or to place it next to a sheltered wall. You can also wrap the pot with Styrofoam and jute bags and cover the soil with leaves for extra insulation.
Pests and Diseases
Firethorn (Pyracantha) can have two major problems. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that can affect both new and mature plants; it kills branches first and then spreads to the whole plant. Scab causes leaves to fall off and makes the fruit turn a dark, sooty color. Choosing disease-resistant types of Pyracantha is the best way to protect against these issues.
Toxicity
Most parts of the firethorn (pyracantha) are safe but not edible. Only the seeds inside the fruits are slightly toxic to humans. For dogs and cats, however, Pyracantha is very poisonous. Humans may have stomach issues if they eat a large amount of raw fruits, and small children can feel mild effects with even a little bit. That said, if the fruits are cooked and strained to remove the seeds, the pulp can be used to make a delicious, fruity-sweet spread.