New plants: Pyracantha ‘Orange Star’
Breeding breakthrough brings us the shrub gardeners have been waiting for: the first ever thornless pyracantha
Pyracanthas are tough, easy-to-grow evergreen shrubs that are cherished for their flat heads of early summer flowers and smothering of yellow, orange or red berries in autumn, which feed the birds right through until the new year.
Many gardeners are deterred from planting pyracantha on account of the vicious thorns that line the branches. However, those days are over – we now have the very first thornless pyracantha.
Where did ‘Orange Star’ come from?
Henk van der Sar with his field of pyracanthas raised from seed
The first of these to be chosen for naming was ‘Red Star’, in 2009, with red berries. Although not 100% thorn-free, ‘Red Star’ has very few thorns. Yellow-berried ‘Sunny Star’ followed, and again, is not completely thornless. Finally, we have ‘Orange Star’, which has orange berries and uniquely, no thorns at all.
Pyracantha ‘Red Star’ was the first of Henk’s seedlings to become a registered cultivar
Pyracantha ‘Sunny Star’ was the next to follow
“These varieties all start to bear berries on smaller plants, at a younger age, than other varieties. They also carry more berries than older varieties, and ‘Orange Star’ is also tolerant to fireblight. All are less sensitive to Phytophthora disease than other pyracanthas.”
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The first pyracantha with completely thornless stems
© PlantIpp![]()
‘Orange Star’ works well in a pot as well as in borders or trained against a wall
Growing Pyracantha ‘Orange Star’
The first pyracantha with completely thornless stems
‘Orange Star’ works well in a pot as well as in borders or trained against a wall
Happy in most fertile and well-drained soils, Pyracantha ‘Orange Star’ is an adaptable plant that can be grown as a free-standing specimen or on a wall. All pyracanthas are ideal for planting against a north-facing wall, and ‘Orange Star’, as well as ‘Red Star’ and ‘Sunny Star’, are well suited to what can be a difficult situation.
Free-standing specimens need little pruning but, against a wall, cut out shoots growing towards the wall and out into the border while tying in shoots that expand the coverage, or fill gaps. The lack of thorns takes the hazard out of pruning – gloves are no longer necessary!
© Olivia Drake![]()
Pyracantha makes an excellent espalier-trained feature on a shady wall
Where can I buy Pyracantha ‘Orange Star’?
Pyracantha makes an excellent espalier-trained feature on a shady wall
Pyracantha ‘Orange Star’ is currently only available from Thompson & Morgan, so hurry while stocks last.
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