Pyracantha

Pyracanthas can offer a colorful addition to our landscapes. Now as we are moving from fall to winter frequently you can see pyracantha in the open spaces alongside many of our community thoroughfares.  These bushes are ablaze in color ranging from oranges to vibrant reds and bring a cheerful punch of color to the surrounding brown landscapes.

Pyracanthas are in the same family as roses and apples which are all susceptible to fireblight. Fortunately many varieties are now available which offer disease resistance, as in case when choosing roses and tomatoes,  make sure and look for the varieties which are known to be resistant. The Sunset Western Garden Book has quite a few named varieties listed as disease resistant.  For example, P. 'Mohave' was originated by the National Arboretum as a disease resistant variety which is suited to climates in zones 3 to 24 (Sunset zones). This variety reaches 12 feet tall and wide and is known to be one of the hardiest pyracanthas. There are many other varieties available ranging from low growing mounding types to tree-like forms.  Don't plan to move these shrubs around once you have them in the ground as like rose bushes they do have thorns. So plan your new location, stand back and let your new shrub grow. The pyracanthas are drought tolerant, and as you may know by reading my previous blogs, I am always on the lookout for hardy plants with modest water needs and the abundant color is icing on the cake.

Besides filling in open spaces on your hillside, the pyracanthas work well as informal hedges and screens as well as good candidates for espalier. Also, the trimmings make really nice wreaths. 

Pyracantha hillside. (photos by Trisha Rose)

Pyracantha wreath.

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