Plant of the Month: December 2013
0Pyracantha, Firethorn
Pyracantha crenatoserrata
This fast-growing, drought tolerant, evergreen shrub keeps giving all year, with bountiful clusters of white flowers in spring and colorful bunches of winter berries in time for holiday decorations–and hungry songbirds.
- Plant Form: Evergreen Shrub
- Water Use: Low
- Mature Size: 15’ tall, 10’ wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: March – May
- Native to: China
- Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 10°F
Pyracantha holds landscape interest throughout the year with its generous clusters of white flowers in spring and colorful bunches of large, long-lasting berries in winter, just in time for holiday decorations. Many varieties are available to suit all tastes and applications, from prostrate groundcovers to erect shrubs that accept espalier training. All varieties grow fast and vigorously, with glossy green leaves, thorns, and fruit that varies in color, size, season, and duration. If berry color is important, buy the plants when they have fruit. Flowers and berries are produced only on growth that is at least one year old, so when pruning, leave some of the growth made each year so that you will have flowers and berries. Use as espaliers on walls or fences, as barrier plantings, screens, or hedgerows (or as groundcovers with low-growing varieties).
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