Pyracantha coccinea
| Pyracantha coccinea | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 13' |
| Width: | 13' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pyracantha coccinea (common name: firethorn)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. Remove all the fruit flesh since this can inhibit germination[1]. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification, sow it as early in the year as possible in a cold frame[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of almost mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, mid-August in a cold frame[3]. Pot up in October or the following spring[3].
Cultivation: Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil[4][1]. Succeeds in any soil that is warm and not very heavy[5]. Another report says that it grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds on chalky soils[6]. Succeeds in sun or part shade[1] and also on a shady wall[7][8], though it does not fruit so well in a shady position[1]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and reasonable exposure[1].
A very ornamental plant[4], there are a number of named varieties[5][1].
Susceptible to scab and fireblight[5], especially when grown on acid sandy soils[9]. This species, especially the cultivar 'Lelandii', is notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Intolerant of root disturbance except when young[5].
A good bee plant[6]. Birds are particularly attracted to the fruit of this plant[1].
Range: S. Europe. Occasionally found more or less naturalized in Britain[10].
Habitat: Woods and hedges[11].
Edibility: Fruit - cooked. Used for making jellies, marmalade and sauces[12][13].
Usage: Tolerant of trimming and of reasonable exposure, it can be grown as a hedge[8][1]. It forms a very spiny barrier[1].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and
Also Known As: Cotoneaster pyracantha. Crataegus pyracantha. Mespilus pyracantha.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ Knight, F. P.. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ Bryan, John and Coralie Castle. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.