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Pyracantha
- Firethorn
Shrub
Evergreen
Pyracantha is a shrub available in many varieties, firethorns have large
clusters of white flowers in spring followed by autumn berries in various
shades from deep red through brighter reds and orange to yellow. The
berries are borne in large quantities in autumn.
Can be
grown as a specimen plant, as part of a mixed border, or more commonly
as a wall shrub or informal hedging plant. All varieties have large
strong thorns which make them excellent security barriers. They are
good for wildlife, blackbirds have nested in mine for several years
secure in the knowledge that no sane cat would dare try and climb towards
them, and also for the berries, blackbirds again love them.
For a
particularly informal hedge, different varieties can be mixed, and they
can also be mixed with
barberry, Berberis,
or roses without sacrificing the deterrent barrier effect.
Height
and spread:
Depends
on variety from 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft) to 6m x 6m (20ft x 20ft)
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Position:
full sun or partial shade, don't like frosty places
in conjunction with cold drying winds
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Soil:
generally unfussy |
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Rate
of growth:
medium
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Other
Features:
easily
trainable, against a wall or fence, simply trim
back any shoots that are sticking out too far.
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Hardiness:
fully hardy, not suitable for very exposed positions
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Uses
- Specimen / Hedging / Architectural / mixed border
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Planting distance when
used for hedging
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Clipped height |
Number of times to clip per season and
when |
Responds to renovation? |
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60cm, 24"
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1.2-2.5m, 4-8ft.
can be larger
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2, spring and early autumn |
No |
| Pruning:
Prune in mid spring or late summer. For specimens and wall shrubs, aim
to establish a permanent network of branches and cut back any wayward
growths that come out. More flexible young shoots can be tied back against
a support while they are still pliable, as they age and become more
woody, they will "set" into the desired shape. Can be renovated usually
with success by cutting back to within 30cm, 12" of ground level, though
this tends to make them more susceptible to the bacterial disease fireblight. |
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