Older imported pyracantha progress thread

[Malix]

Just bought this last weekend. Its my first pyracantha. Not overly familiar with the species but potential of the trunk lines drew me in. its had some die back of branches but I was unable to find out the cause. its bouncing back already and my understanding is pyracantha bud back well when healthy and pruned hard. I only plan on letting it gather strength this year. hopefully with strong fertilizing, water and light it will gain enough strength to take a hard cut back next year and can begin to rebuild branches.

P.S. I was told this was likely imported from Korea originally. My understanding is P. Augustifolia tends to be grown in Asia. If anyone Can Id this from the images I would appreciate it. I am concerned with freezing temperatures come winter. I am guessing this will need some protection.. But which type of pyracantha it is will help determine what kind of protection. Thx.

 

[rockm]

Nice little tree. Pyracantha are tough plants. They're used for hedging because they can backbud extensively, even when drastically reduced. Can't really tell what variety this one is, but your guess of Angustifolia (firethorn) based on what's propagated in Asia is probably accurate, IMO.

Pyracantha are pretty winter hardy. This variety from what I can find is hardy to USDA Zone 6 (which means around a 7 in actuality because of the container). That means if you get consistent winter temps below 25 or so, it will probably need to be heeled into a grow bed with mulch come late fall. I would allow it to have a few nights of frost and shallow freezes before putting it away for the winter.

Also, Angustifolia is one that California is watching as a potential invasive species.

Pyracantha angustifolia Profile – California Invasive Plant Council

www.cal-ipc.org

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Pyracantha literally means "fire thorn" from the Greek "pyro" for fire and Latin "canthus" for thorn. Most firethorns have red berries, but there is a variety with bright orange berries. They can be reduced dramatically, and do well in horrible soil with minimal watering - hence why they can be found all over LA yards

Here's one of Tom Vuong's trees with orange berries. He got it out of a landscape hedge.

 

[BrianBay9]

You'll be fine with the pyracantha in Sonoma. In some places in California they're already considered invasive species. The only thing that kills them is fireblight.

 

[Darth Masiah]

nice material. the pyra roots can form some pretty cool shapes. it would be awesome if someone vloged a producer of these types of exposed root forms. anyway, they love it here in rainy 8a. it dips below 20°f on occasion, and i haven't seen any damage yet with no protection.