Pyracantha

New Zealand’s Best Pyracantha Plants

Growing colourful shrubs in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Pyracantha plants and the right one for your space. Our Fire Thorn plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Pyracantha, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Pyracantha

1. What is the fastest growing pyracantha?

The fastest-growing pyracantha variety is Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column'. It is a vigorous climber that can grow up to 50cm (20 inches) per year. It has deep green leaves and bright red berries in the autumn. It is a good choice for hedging, screening, and groundcover. Here are some other fast-growing pyracantha varieties:

• Pyracantha Soleil d’Or: This variety has golden-yellow berries in the autumn and is also a fast grower.
• Pyracantha Fireball: This variety has orange-red berries in the autumn and is a medium-fast grower.
• Pyracantha ‘Teton’: This variety has white berries in the autumn and is a medium-fast grower.
• Pyracantha ‘Mohave’: This variety has yellow berries in the autumn and is a slow grower.

All pyracantha varieties are evergreen and thorny. They are best planted in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant and require little maintenance.

2. What are the cons of pyracantha?

Pyracantha is a versatile plant that can be used for a variety of purposes, but it also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before planting it in your garden.

Here are some of the cons of pyracantha:

• Thorns: Pyracantha is a thorny plant, and its thorns can be very sharp and painful. This can make it difficult to prune or work around the plant, and it can also be a hazard to pets and children.
• Susceptible to disease: Pyracantha is susceptible to a number of diseases, including fire blight, scab, and rust. These diseases can cause the plant to lose its leaves, flowers, or fruit, and they can also make the plant more susceptible to pests.
• High maintenance: Pyracantha requires regular pruning to maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming overgrown. It also needs to be fertilized and watered regularly, especially during periods of hot weather.
• Can attract pests: Pyracantha can attract a number of pests, including aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. These pests can damage the plant and make it less aesthetically pleasing.
• Can be invasive: Pyracantha can be invasive in some areas, and it can spread easily by its seeds. This can make it difficult to control and can also pose a threat to native plant populations.

Despite these drawbacks, pyracantha can still be a valuable addition to the garden.

3. Is a pyracantha poisonous?

Yes, pyracantha is poisonous to some extent. The berries and seeds of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when ingested. However, the levels of cyanogenic glycosides in pyracantha are relatively low, and serious poisoning is rare.

Symptoms of pyracantha poisoning can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Weakness
• Seizures

In severe cases, pyracantha poisoning can be fatal.

4. What is the English name for pyracantha?

The most common English name for Pyracantha is firethorn. This name is derived from the Greek words "pyr" meaning "fire" and "akanthos" meaning "thorn," referring to the plant's thorny branches and bright red berries.

Other English names for Pyracantha include:

• Evergreen hawthorn
• Flame thorn
• Nepal firethorn
• Scarlet firethorn
• Chinese firethorn
• Woolly firethorn

The name "firethorn" is the most widely used and recognized name for Pyracantha in English-speaking countries. It is a descriptive and fitting name for this beautiful and thorny plant.

5. Is Hawthorn the same as Pyracantha?

No, Hawthorn and Pyracantha are not the same plants. They are both members of the rose family (Rosaceae), but they have different characteristics and belong to different genera.

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a deciduous shrub or small tree with white or pink flowers and red berries. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Hawthorn is commonly used in hedges and landscaping.

Pyracantha (Pyracantha) is an evergreen shrub with small white flowers and bright red, orange, or yellow berries. It is native to southeastern Europe and Asia. Pyracantha is also commonly used in hedges and landscaping.

6. Is Pyracantha the same as sea buckthorn?

Pyracantha and sea buckthorn are not the same plants. While they both belong to the rose family (Rosaceae) and have some similar characteristics, they have different origins, appearances, and uses.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a deciduous shrub or small tree with narrow, silver-green leaves and orange or yellow berries. It is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia and is known for its nutritional value and medicinal properties.

Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) is an evergreen shrub or climber with small, oval leaves and bright red, orange, or yellow berries. It is native to southeastern Europe and Asia and is widely used in landscaping and hedging.