Pyracantha Plant Profile

Firethorn (Pyracantha sp.) is an evergreen shrub that is loaded with colorful red or orange berries. This easy-to-grow plant can be pruned into various shapes and used as a hedge, espalier, bonsai, or landscape specimen. The best time to prune Firethorn is late winter or very early spring, so as not to impact the number of berries you will get later in the growing season.
Depending on the variety of Firethorn that you select, it is generally hardy to zones 5 to 8 and can grow up to 10 feet wide and high. You can shear it annually to contain the size. The ‘Mojave’ cultivar was developed at the U.S. National Arboretum and is very heat-tolerant. It is also reconsidered to be reliably deer-resistant.
Firethorn prefers full sun, but will tolerate part sun. It likes well-drained, sandy soils and is drought-tolerant once established. Pick your planting location carefully as it does not like to be moved or transplanted. Firethorn can be propagated by taking cuttings in the summertime.
It is in the rose family and has sharp thorns that make it useful as a natural security barrier. Birds and small mammals like to hide inside Firethorn and build nests in them, as they provide excellent protection from large predators.
Birds love to eat the long-lasting berries as well. This plant is originally from Eurasia and is sometimes mistaken for Cotoneaster, which is thornless.
Pyracantha: You Can Grow That!
The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.
Audio and Text by Kathy Jentz
Video and Editing by Melinda Thompson

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)
➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out
➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE
~ Podcast: GardenDC

[speedbob]

I have an 8ft wide and 8ft tall very full one. Unfortunately its where my grand daughters play area will be so i hate to take it out but needs to be done.
I want to propagate it this year and make a 70 foot hedge out front. We live on a major hwy.
Do you think i can air layer the big branches?
We tried cuttings last year and not one of the 30 we did sprouted. I only have till the end of this summer to figure this out.

[beckytopp]

One of ours is dying, any ideas few leaves moldy berries