Grow in the Dark (Pyracantha)

Member Name: Lurchajn

Product:	Pyracantha
Date:	14/05/02 (1005 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Grows anywhere, Evergreen, Beautiful berries

Disadvantages: Less vigorous than some other climbers, Small flowers

Need to cover a north facing fence or wall? Have other climbers withered and died in the shade and cold? This plant will suit you down to the ground.

Pyracantha, often refered to as 'Firethorn', is a grow-anywhere shrub. It is most effective when grown as a climber using either a sturdy trellis or supporting wires.

This is a thorny, evergreen plant and bears small, sometimes insignificant, flowers followed by vivid berries which last well into the following summer. It is available in varying shades of foilage, even a variegated green and cream. The berries also vary between orange and red.

Whilst it is not as vigorous as some climbers it is still relatively quick to cover a wall. For instance the specimen I have grown was bought whilst just 18" tall. Two years on and it it is over 5' high and 4' wide. I expect it to reach about 12' by 12' before it stops.

The biggest advantage of this plant though is that it will flourish in heavy shade or brilliant sunshine and in just about any kind of soil.

Training:
I have used a narrow trellis about 6' high and 1' wide to tie the main stem to. From either side of this I have run horizontal guide wires at spacings of about 1'. The plant is growing between my front door and front window and the wires are laid out to bring the plant under the window and eventually over both the window and door.

As the plant is not too vigorous I only have to trim and tie it twice a year, usually Spring and Autumn. During the trimming I prune back and forward facing shoots that cannot be bent sideways and tied in, this is to prevent the plant from directing too much energy in a the wrong direction. In about five years I expect to have it just as I want, around the window and door, and it will just need the occasional trim.

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