The Pyracantha Red Column variety has bright red glossy berries from late summer which last well into winter.
Did you know..... Pyracantha berries are edible, and can be used to make Pyracantha Jelly, a delicious homemade treat.
Pyracantha is an evergreen shrub and is suitable for town gardens. They like to be planted in shade or semi-shade, and grow well against north or east facing walls. They do have white blossom in June, but these seem insignificant compared to to the bright orange or red berries that appear during the winter.
Pyracantha shrubs have bright green leathery leaves and thorns, so be aware when handling them.These plants often make an attractive hedge. Being evergreen, and growing thorns, they can be quite imprenitable, thus deterring unwanted visitors. When used as a hedge, pyracanthus look amazing during the winter months when the plant is covered in bright orange, yellow or red berries.
How to Grow Pyracantha
Make sure that the ground is well prepared before planting, dig over and add well rotted compost if necessary. For the first three to four years it is advisable to keep adding compost to the top-soil, ensuring that the plant is well nourished while it gets established.
If pyracantha is to be used as an hedging plant, a temporary support system should be used, a wire fence would be ideal, this protects the shrub from wind damage, ensuring that the plants grow sturdy and upright.
Pyracantha plants which are over 1ft in height should be planted in September, October or April, making sure that they are between 2 and 3ft apart, as each plant can be upto 4ft wide. Height-wise, pyracantha can grow to be 6ft tall.
Pyracantha is recommended for it's:
Foliage - as it is evergreen
All year round interest - as it has bright glossy berries during the winter months
Climbing ability - it loves to grow against walls or trellis
Hedging ability - can be used as an excellent hedge plant, deterring unwanted visitors with its sharp thorns
Edible berries - Did you know that Pyracantha berries make a lovely, almost marmalade like jelly? (See Pyracantha Jelly recipe)
Fertilizing ability - When shaping your firethorn bush, always throw the trimmings into the compost bin, as the berries are naturally good fertilizers, and easily break down in the soil.
Recommended varieties of Pyracantha include:
Pyracantha atalantioides: Bears crimson berries
Pyracantha coccinea lalandi: orange-red berries
Pyracantha crenulata: yellow berries
Pyracantha rogersiana: orange-red berries
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Growing Pyracantha (Firethorn) 
