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Pyracantha 'Mohave'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

firethorn 'Mohave'

A vigorous, bushy evergreen shrub with oval, dark green leaves and spiny stems. In early summer clusters of small white flowers are produced followed by long lasting red berries.

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green Red
Winter Green Red
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
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

Grow in a fertile, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In frost prone or exposed locations protect young plants while they establish.

Propagation

Propagate from semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, or alternatively from seed. Pyracantha seed requires three months of cold stratification in order to germinate. Cultivars won't usually come true from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pyracantha flowers mainly on shoots produced the previous year, so when pruning try to retain as much two-year-old wood as possible. Wear thick gloves when pruning; as its common name (Firethorn) suggests, Pyracantha bears long and very sharp thorns.

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to pyracantha scab and honey fungus

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