Is there a thornless pyracantha?

Category: home and garden landscaping
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PYRACANTHA coccinea 'Thornless' A fascinating form with no thorns and an open habit of growth unlike any other firethorn. The foliage is large and clean against black stems that can be worked against a wall or structure as an espalier or for shadow effect. Fruit are large and bright orange in fall.



Also asked, why are there no berries on my pyracantha?

A hard pruning will mean few flowers the following year, because pyracantha, aka firethorn, flower on last year's growth. If the spring was wet, cold or windy in the days the flowers appeared, then a lack of pollinators would mean no berries later on.

Beside above, are pyracantha thorns poisonous? Although the thorns are not considered toxic, the skin around the puncture wound can become red, swollen, painful, and itchy. If someone has been injured by a Pyracantha thorn, wash the area well and seek medical evaluation if an infection occurs or if the thorn is embedded under the skin.

Also to know is, does pyracantha need support?

Pyracantha can be trained against a wall. See our advice on pruning climbers and wall shrubs on first planting for more information on how to establish a wall-trained plant. Pyracantha can also be trained as an espalier. If you need to extend the plants, tie new, leafy shoots into wires or trellis.

What is the difference between pyracantha and cotoneaster?

The pyracantha has larger leaves that are serrated, and the plant is covered in thorns. The cotoneaster, on the other hand, has smaller, smooth-edged leaves and no thorns.

30 Related Question Answers Found

How do you care for a pyracantha?

Pyracantha shrubs grow in most types of soil but prefer moist and well-drained conditions. Occasional deep watering from early spring to late fall with 1 inch of water per week or more during hot, dry periods of weather provides enough moisture for the shrub. Use a garden hose and water at the soil level.

How do I get rid of pyracantha?

You need to cut it right down and bore out the main roots with a stump grinder down to 12-18 inches, or cut it down and drill into every woody stump and large, woody root and poison them with tree stump killer (often listed as brushwood killer).

Is pyracantha fast growing?

Growth rate of Red Pyracantha hedging
Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column' is a fast-growing hedge plant, with an expected growth of 50cm a year. These hedges look best when maintained to a height of between 1 - 3 metres.

Can pyracantha be hard pruned?

You can prune Pyracantha hard (remove a great deal of growth) without harming the plant. If your goal is a more formal appearance, you can head back making selected cuts that will create a formal shape.

How do you train a pyracantha?


Another way to train a pyracantha to the wall is by using wood or plastic trellis work, the plant can then be fixed to the trellis in the same way, using string or cable ties. Trellis can also make an excellent screen, while you wait for the plant to establish.

Are pyracantha berries edible?

Hardy anywhere between U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 and 11, the berries are also edible, perfect for jam since they are bitter when eaten raw. Verify that your shrub is in fact a pyracantha, because other shrubs that produce red berries, such as cotoneaster, are poisonous.

Why are the leaves on my pyracantha turning yellow?

Treat your pyracantha for iron chlorosis if the youngest leaves are turning yellow first and the veins on the yellow leaves remain green. Iron chlorosis occurs when the shrub cannot absorb iron from the soil. It is often caused by alkaline soil or by overwatering.

Is Pyracantha a climber?

Types of climbers
Wall shrubs like the pyracantha don't climb naturally and must be trained, but will just lean against the wall once established.

When should pyracantha be pruned?

The best time to prune a pyracantha is when it is in full flower, normally around mid to end of May in most parts of the UK. The reason for this is that the stems with flowers on will produce berries later in the year. At flowering time you can easily identify them and avoid heavy pruning of those stems.

Do birds eat Firethorn berries?


Pyracantha (aka firethorn) is the ultimate multitasking plant; a workhorse shrub capable of stepping into the spotlight and shining, not once, but twice a year. Billows of frothy white flowers buzz with pollinators in early summer. Great pendulous bunches of red, orange or yellow berries attract birds in winter.

What birds eat pyracantha berries UK?

As well as the many native berry-bearing species (including rowan, holly, whitebeam, spindle, dog rose, guelder rose, elder, hawthorn, honeysuckle and ivy), attractive shrubs like cotoneaster, pyracantha and berberis are especially good for a wide range of birds.

How wide does pyracantha grow?

These rows will need to be spaced 70-100cm apart, with 60-90cm (2-3ft) between each plant in the two rows. A single row of pyracantha, will form a hedge up to 4ft wide, with this in mind its not very often you would need to plant double rows, as a 4ft width is usually an adequate thickness for most gardens.

How far apart should I plant pyracantha?

Space separate plants far enough apart.
If you choose to plant multiple pyracantha shrubs, you should space each shrub 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm ) apart. Note that if you choose to plant multiple rows to create a thicker hedge, each row should be 28 to 40 inches (70 to 100 cm) apart.

When can I move pyracantha?

Moving on. The best months to move evergreens are in October/November when the soil is still warm but the plant is semi-dormant, or in late February/March, just as the soil is beginning to warm up but while the plant is still sleepy.

How do you grow pyracantha from seed?


Pyracantha seeds have a deep dormancy within them, this requires a degree of patience to overcome and it is usually quite easy to get good levels of germination if the correct procedures are followed. To begin soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours and then drain away the water.

How do you grow Firethorn?

Pick either a sunny, shady or a partially sunny location for growing firethorn shrubs. They also thrive in either dry or moist soils, although damper areas produce bigger plants. Therefore, you may want to choose a fertile, moist location when planting firethorn. Consider the location of your shrub carefully.

How do you treat a thorn puncture?

  1. Remove the Object if You Can. If the object that caused the puncture is small and you can easily remove it, do so.
  2. Stop the Bleeding. Apply firm, direct pressure with sterile gauze or clean cloth until bleeding stops.
  3. Clean and Protect the Wound. Rinse the wound under clean water for several minutes.
  4. Treat Pain.
  5. Follow-up.