Pyracantha 'Firelight'

RHS Plant Profile
firethorn 'Firelight'
Plants for pollinators
Shrubs

A compact, evergreen, bushy shrub with spiny stems and narrow, oblong, glossy dark green foliage. Clusters of flat, white flowers in early summer are followed by orange berries in autumn and winter. This variety has a prostrate habit and can be grown against walls or as a stand-alone hedge or shrub

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Pyracantha are evergreen shrubs or small trees, with spiny branches bearing simple leaves and corymbs of small white flowers followed by showy red, orange or yellow berries
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in fertile soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings from late-spring onwards

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
  • Wall side borders
  • Climber and wall shrubs

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, caterpillars, brown scale and leaf-mining moths

Diseases

May be susceptible to pyracantha scab, honey fungus and fireblight