Pyracantha coccinea
Firethorn
Common names: Red Firethorn
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Hardy
- Pruning
- Mar–Apr
- Flowering
- May–Jun
Photo: noebse · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The firethorn, botanically Pyracantha coccinea, is a thorny, evergreen shrub that grows as a dense hedge or formal hedge against walls and fences. From May to June it displays countless white, globular flowers, from which bright orange‑red berries ripen in the autumn. These berries are mildly toxic to humans and pets; large amounts should be avoided, especially for children and dogs. For birds such as blackbirds and bullfinches, the berries are an important winter food source, making the firethorn a classic bird feeder plant. The sharp thorns also make it an effective, deterrent hedge for security purposes.
Care instructions
Plant the firethorn best in autumn or early spring in a sunny to partially shaded spot with well‑drained soil. In the first two years after planting, water regularly during dry periods; later it tolerates without additional watering. Prune the hedge once a year after flowering, around the end of June (week 26 to 27), to allow ample flowers and berries for the following year; wear sturdy gloves because of the thorns. If heavily infested with firebrand, remove affected shoots entirely and dispose of the cuttings in household waste rather than compost. Light winter protection is advisable in harsh climates; in mild regions the firethorn remains evergreen year‑round.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringMay–Jun
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lime-loving, lean, dry
Firethorn likes free-draining, rather poor soil and tolerates lime well. Waterlogging is its greatest enemy, so drainage made of gravel or grit helps on heavy soils. A sunny to partly shaded spot with a dry to moderately moist root zone suits it best.
Feeding
Light feeder
As an undemanding wild shrub species, firethorn needs hardly any feeding. One application of compost in spring is quite enough and supports new growth. Soil that is too rich in nutrients promotes soft shoot growth, which becomes more susceptible to fire blight, so it is better to stay sparing.
Pruning
Shaping in early spring before growth starts keeps firethorn in form, but costs flowers on this year's wood. If you want to keep the blossom and the berries that follow, prune only gently and mainly remove dead or diseased shoots. As a hedge, it also tolerates a second, light trim after flowering in summer.
Overwintering
Firethorn is hardy in Central Europe and needs no special protection in mild locations. In very cold winters, or for young plants, a layer of mulch over the root zone helps. The berries often stay on the shrub well into winter and are valuable food for birds.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Cuttings
- Layering
Semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer root reliably in a bright, sheltered spot. Layering works well if a low branch touches the ground and roots there over several months. Sowing the seeds in autumn also works, but needs a cold period to germinate and yields plants able to flower only after several years. For true-to-variety propagation, cuttings are the more reliable choice.
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Firethorn yourself
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