Security Plant (Pyracantha (Firethorn))

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Pyracantha (Firethorn)
Date:	30/04/02 (3730 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good security, Easy to look after and grow

Disadvantages: Can get hurt, Berries make you ill

Seen as I have a degree in Amenity Horticulture from Writtle College (dont laugh) I have decided to put it to better usage and inform my Dooyoo friends of my vast plant knowledge.

Im going to start with one of the prickly plants. It is commonly known as the Firethorn or to give it it's Latin name, Pyracantha.

Background
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The Pyracantha species is a member of the Rosaceae family. All of the members of this family can be identified quite easily by looking at the fruits or berries. Yes, this plant does have berries.
If you turn the berry upside down and look at it, you will notice it has a 5 pointed star embedded in the fruit. All members of the Rosaceae family have this.

It originates in various parts of Asia and is an Evergreen shrub with varying sized oval leaves depending on the cultivar.

It tends to be a spring flowering plant that will produce many small berries in clusters durng the autumn. It holds it berries long into Spring when it can be taken and cultivated.
These produce some fantastic colours and are one of the most striking plants I remember from my cold winter's days plodding around the College grounds on plant ident walks.

I called it a security plant due to its defence mechanism. 1 inch long spiky thorns cover this plant which makes it a good wall growing plant to keep unwanted guests from your garden.

It is very quick growing too which makes it a fast establishing plant in a new garden. It can atain a height of about 20 ft if left unattended.

Conditions.
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To attain a nice plant, you need to give it some nice conditions.
It Prefers full sun and this is essential if you want to produce many berries and a good colour. It also needs a well drained, rich soil to prevent its delicate roots from rotting.

Propagation.
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With the producing of so many berries, it is very easy to propagate. The seeds need "o
verwintering" indoors followed by planting out in the spring, preferably in a cold frame.
Alternatively, cuttings can be taken in early spring and planting using rooting powder. The lower 2 sets of leaves need removing and coating in this powder for best results.

Diseases.
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It is a very hardy plant to disease and very strong once established. The only true problem is Fire Blight but this is extremely rare and simply requires the pruning of infect wood to prevent further infection.

Pricing.
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A cheap plant to buy due to its ease of propagation. A good sized plant can be purchased for between £5-10.

Usage.
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As mentioned, it can be used in gardens as a security plant but can equally be used as a specimen or hedging plant due to its characteristics.

Overall.
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Along with Berberis (look out for this opinion when dooyoo add it) it is one of my favourite prickly plants. Not a good idea if you have children as the spikes are dangerous and berries would make them very ill if swallowed.
It does give good security though.

Summary: