Pyracantha atalantioides

RHS Plant Profile
Gibbs' firethorn

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Gibbs' firethorn RHS 1999

Synonyms

Pyracantha gibbsii

Plants for pollinators
Shrubs
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A large evergreen shrub to 4m tall, with narrowly elliptic leaves and clusters of small creamy-white flowers in spring, followed by showy orange-red berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 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
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

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
Correct
Plant Range
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Best sheltered from cold drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late-spring onwards or propagate by seed. Extract seeds from berries in autumn, sow and keep in cold frame. Seeds need about three months of cold stratification before they germinate.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Hedging and screens
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1. On wall-trained plants after flowering in mid-summer, shorten lateral shoots to 2-3 leaves from the base to expose the developing berries

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