Pyracanthas to grow
Offering a long season of interest, Pyracantha is a must-have in the garden. We've picked five to grow.
Pyracanthas flower in June, their dazzling white flowerheads bringing out the colour of their rich, dark evergreen foliage. From autumn, and continuing through winter, the flowerheads mature to clusters of scarlet, orange or yellow berries, which seem to drip from the branches like jewels. Not only do the berries shine in low winter light, but blackbirds, thrushes and fieldfares love to eat them.
Pyracanthas are also attractive to birds for their dense evergreen foliage and branching structure, which, especially when trained on a fence, creates nesting habitats for blackbirds and thrushes. The spiny growth of pyracanthas also helps deter predators, such as cats.
What's more, pyracanthas thrive on cool north- and east-facing walls and fences in just about any soil that’s reasonably fertile, making them a great choice for problem spots that are otherwise hard to plant up.
How to grow pyracantha
Grow pyracantha in moderately fertile soil in full sun to full shade, ideally against a wall or fence. Pruning is usually not needed but, if you need to, shorten long shoots that are not carrying berries, after flowering. Tie in plants growing on fences or walls to fill their space evenly.
More on growing pyracanthas:
- How to make a pyracantha, ivy and crab apple Christmas wreath
- Why does my pyracantha have berries but not leaves?
- Fast-growing plants for screens
Browse our list of pyracanthas to grow, below
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Pyracantha coccinea ‘Red Cushion’
Valued for its low and spreading growth, Pyracantha ‘Red Cushion’ is useful for growing at the base of walls or even in pots.
Height x Spread: 1m x 2m
Pyracantha rogersiana ‘Flava’
Pyracantha ‘Flava’ has arching growth with relatively small leaves. It bears a startling profusion of small yellow berries in autumn.
H x S: 3m x 3m
Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’
Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ is relatively upright and densely branched, making it a great choice for nesting birds. It bears sparkling, scarlet-tinted orange berries in autumn.
H x S: 2m x 2m
Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Jaune’ (‘Cadaune’)
Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Jaune’ bears bright yellow berries with gold tones. Highly disease resistant, like all ‘Saphyr’ varieties.
H x S: 3m x 3m
Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Orange’ (‘Cadange’)
Pyracantha ‘Saphyr Orange’ bears carmine-tinted berries, which mature to brilliant orange, on densely branched plants.
H x S: 3m x 3m