Pyracantha Hedging is an attractive, extremely spiky, evergreen hedging species that offers seasonal interest and produces masses of shiny, bright orange berries and bright red berries that are a hit with birds and other wildlife. These colourful berries are an important source of food for British garden birds and can be utilized to make jams, jellies, and sauces.
Pyracantha Hedging consists of fragrant white flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. Pyracantha coccinea ‘Red Column', also known as Red Pyracantha, Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ also known as Orange Pyracantha, and Pyracantha ‘Soleil d’Or’ also known as Yellow Pyracantha. These hedging plants provide security, privacy, and seasonal interest with their colorful berries and fragrant flowers.
Choose from our most popular varieties of Pyracantha Hedging plants, available in a range of sizes and root types.
Red Pyracantha is an extremely spiky evergreen hedging plant that produces fragrant white flowers in the spring followed by masses of shiny, bright red berries.
Growth rate: Fast 30-60cm per year
Overall height: Medium up to 5 metres
Position: Full Sun, Sheltered
Root Types: Pot Grown
Orange Pyracantha is an extremely spiky evergreen hedging plant that produces fragrant white flowers in the spring followed by masses of shiny, bright orange berries.
Growth rate: Fast 30-60cm per year
Overall height: Medium up to 5 metres
Position: Sheltered, Full Sun, Exposed
Root Types: Pot Grown
Yellow Pyracantha is an extremely spiky evergreen hedging plant that produces fragrant white flowers in the spring followed by masses of shiny, bright yellow berries.
Growth rate: Fast 30-60cm per year
Overall height: Medium up to 5 metres
Position: Sheltered, Full Sun, Exposed
Root Types: Pot Grown
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Pyracantha, commonly known as firethorn, is a genus of thorny evergreen shrubs in the family Rosaceae.
Native to an expansive region stretching from Southeast Europe to Southeast Asia, Pyracantha is well-regarded for its vibrant berries and its dense, spiky foliage which provides year-round interest and an excellent deterrent for unwanted intruders.
The decorative and fragrant pyracantha flowers that appear in late spring to early summer are an added bonus, completely covering the plant.
These flowers attract a variety of pollinating insects, thanks to their rich supply of nectar.
These robust plants can be used as standalone specimens, or more commonly, as a formidable hedging solution due to their rapid growth and the security their thorns provide.
The berries, though mildly toxic to humans if ingested in large quantities, are an essential food source for birds during the winter months, making Pyracantha a valuable addition to wildlife gardens.
Pyracantha, commonly referred to as firethorn, is a popular choice for hedging due to its remarkable combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits.
Pyracantha hedging plants not only enhance the visual appeal of any garden with their vibrant berries and lush evergreen foliage, but they also serve functional purposes such as providing excellent security and supporting local wildlife.
The dense, thorny branches form an effective barrier, while the flowers and berries attract a variety of pollinators and birds throughout the year.
Evergreen foliage ensures year-round cover and interest.
Bright berries in red, orange, or yellow add seasonal colour.
Thorny branches act as a natural deterrent to intruders.
Attractive to birds and other wildlife, providing food and shelter.
Dense growth habit makes it an effective noise and wind barrier.
Tolerant of various soil types and conditions.
Low maintenance with minimal pruning requirements.
Can be used as a standalone feature or combined with other plants for mixed hedging.
Pyracantha hedges are best planted during the dormant season, which spans from late autumn to early spring, when the ground is not frozen. Planting during this period allows the roots to establish before the growing season begins, ensuring a robust and healthy hedge.
Planting Pyracantha hedging plants is a straightforward process, ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners. For optimal growth, choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained soil.
When planting, dig a trench approximately twice the width of the root ball and the same depth as the pot in which the Pyracantha is housed. This will allow ample space for the roots to establish themselves.
Soil Preparation: Enrich the soil with well-rotted compost or manure to provide essential nutrients.
Spacing: Space each plant as advised in our hedge spacing table below to ensure they have adequate room to spread and mature without overcrowding.
Planting Depth: Place each Pyracantha plant into the trench, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Backfilling: Fill in around the roots with a mixture of soil and compost, firming gently to eliminate any air pockets.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots and to give the plants a good start.
Pyracantha hedge spacing is an important factor to consider when planting your new hedge. Please see our table below for the correct plant spacing for different sizes of pot grown Pyracantha.
Pyracantha is a fast-growing plant, typically adding between 30cm to 60cm in height per year under optimal conditions. This rapid growth rate makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to establish a dense hedge quickly. However, regular pruning is essential to maintain its shape and to control its size.
Pyracantha is incredibly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, as long as they are well-drained. It prefers a position of full sun to partial shade; however, it can tolerate full shade. When selecting a planting site, consider areas that provide ample room for growth and where the Pyracantha will receive sufficient sunlight to encourage berry production.
After planting, your Pyracantha hedging plants will require some ongoing care to thrive. Regular watering during dry spells is essential, particularly in the first year as the plants establish their root systems. Mulching around the base of each plant will help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning: Minimal pruning is required to shape the hedge and to remove any dead or damaged branches. It is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Fertilising: An annual feed with a balanced fertiliser will support healthy growth, particularly in poorer soils. Apply in early spring as the growing season begins.
Regular pruning of Pyracantha hedging is crucial to ensure a tidy appearance and to promote healthy growth. The best times to prune are late winter to early spring before new growth begins, and again in late summer after the berries have formed.
Tools: Use sharp, clean pruning shears to make precise cuts and to avoid damaging the plant.
Thinning: Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches to encourage air circulation and prevent fungal infections.
Shaping: Prune the outer branches to maintain the desired shape and size of the hedge, making sure to cut just above a leaf node or an outward-facing bud to encourage outward growth and thick foliage.
Safety: Be mindful of the plant's sharp thorns, and consider wearing thick gloves to protect your hands while pruning.
Training: Young Pyracantha plants can be trained against a wall or a fence by tying the branches to a support structure, guiding their growth to create a dense, attractive coverage.
Pyracantha hedges are hardy and low maintenance, but to promote vigorous growth and berry production, regular watering and feeding are beneficial. Newly planted Pyracantha hedges should be watered frequently during their first growing season to help the roots establish. Once established, Pyracantha is relatively drought-tolerant but will benefit from occasional deep watering during dry periods.
While Pyracantha is generally robust and low-maintenance, it can occasionally be affected by certain pests and diseases. Fireblight, a bacterial disease, can cause blackened branches and wilting foliage. If detected, prune affected areas and dispose of them properly to prevent spread. Aphids and spider mites may also infest Pyracantha; these can usually be managed with insecticidal soap or other appropriate treatments.
Fire Blight: This bacterial disease can cause branches to wilt and die. To control its spread, prune off infected areas during dry weather and sterilise your pruning tools between cuts. Dispose of infected plant material carefully.
Pyracantha Scab: This fungal disease manifests as black spots on leaves and berries. Remove affected parts and apply a suitable fungicide to combat this issue.
Aphids: These pests can cause distorted growth and produce a sticky exudate. Use insecticidal soap or introduce natural predators like ladybirds to keep aphid populations in check.
By addressing these issues promptly and practicing regular maintenance, your Pyracantha hedge will continue to thrive and beautify your garden for years to come.
