Pyracantha (any variety) (Firethorn (any variety))

Botanical name

Pyracantha (any variety)

Other names

Firethorn (any variety)

Genus

Pyracantha Pyracantha

Variety or Cultivar

Pyracantha (any variety) _ If you don't know the variety name of your Pyracantha (Firethorn), you can add this plant to your lists to get care advice.

Pyracantha (any variety) are dense, upright, bushy, or spreading, thorny, evergreen shrubs bearing elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves, sometimes variegated, and clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in summer followed by red, orange, or yellow fruit in autumn and winter.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Dense, Bushy, Spreading, Upright

Toxicity

The seeds may cause mild stomach upsets if ingested.

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Colour

Flower

Cream, White in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Brown scale , Caterpillars , Leaf mining moths

Specific diseases

Fireblight , Pyracantha scab

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 for free-standing shrubs. Trim hedges in early summer. If wall-trained, tie in shoots that best create the desired framework & cut unwanted stems to the main stem. Shorten lateral shoots in midsummer to expose fruit.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Pyracantha (any variety) (Firethorn (any variety)) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

City, Wallside and trellises, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution

Cultivation

Plant in fertile soil in sun or part shade. Tolerates air pollution. Many are suitable for wall-training, hedging, or as a free-standing shrub. Shelter from cold, drying winds in frost-prone areas.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pyracantha (any variety) (Firethorn (any variety))

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Pyracantha (any variety) (Firethorn (any variety))

Common pest name

Japanese long scale; Japanese maple scale; Long scale; Japanese; Pear white scale

Scientific pest name

Lopholeucaspis japonica

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Regulated only on Citrus at present; regulation on other hosts needs to be considered. Only likely to be a pest under glass in UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Pyracantha (any variety) (Firethorn (any variety))

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/