Firethorn 'Red Column' Hedge (Red Pyracantha)

Firethorn Red Column Hedge Description

Red Pyracantha, commonly known as Firethorn, is a dense, spiny evergreen shrub that serves as an effective deterrent to intruders. This variety is highly valued for its abundant clusters of long-lasting, glossy red berries in autumn and its profusion of fragrant, creamy-white flowers in May and June. Both the berries and flowers attract wildlife, providing an excellent food source for various insects and birds. In addition to the red-berried variety, we also offer Pyracantha with orange and yellow berries.

Pyracantha is a robust and hardy plant that grows relatively quickly, approximately 50 cm per year, and should be pruned after flowering to ensure that the spent flowers, which will develop into berries, receive adequate sunlight. It is easy to cultivate in most soil types and thrives in both full sun and partial shade, although it is unsuitable for coastal gardens, very dense shade, or extremely windy locations.

The intricate network of thorny stems provides an excellent nesting site for small birds, offering them protection and a convenient food source in winter, when they can feast on the ripe berries. We also offer other hedging species with berries, as well as varieties suitable for creating intruder-proof hedging.

Red Pyracantha is available as a decorative yet functional hedging screen, which not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also provides the privacy and security of a fence. It is ideal for smaller gardens with limited space or for defining external areas and boundaries.

Pruning Advice

Pruning Pyracantha is not strictly necessary unless you wish to maintain it at a specific height and shape, which is typically the case when it is grown as a hedge.

When Pyracantha is initially planted, it should ideally be left to develop for a couple of years to establish a robust root system, unless the plant is already mature and you wish to maintain its current height and shape. Pruning must be conducted at the appropriate time of year to avoid adversely affecting flowering and fruiting in the following year.

The ideal time for maintenance pruning is during the flowering period in late spring. While this may seem counterintuitive, it is not intended to cut back the flowering stems themselves, as these will produce the attractive red berries. Pruning during flowering allows you to identify non-flowering stems, which can then be cut back by approximately a third or slightly more, encouraging healthy growth that will bear fruit in the subsequent year. When pruning, cut the stems at a downward angle to allow water to run off and enable the plant to heal quickly.

Maintaining good airflow around the shrub is crucial to preventing disease. To ensure adequate airflow, avoid allowing the centre of the plant to become too dense. Select a few of the older stems growing from the centre and trim them to improve air circulation. This practice will help to prevent diseases such as scab and other fungal infections from taking hold.

To maintain a desirable shape, it may be necessary to trim some of the outer stems, typically those that are growing most outwards. These will generally be slightly older stems, by a couple of years. Lightly trim these back to achieve the desired shape, but avoid hard pruning, as this will delay the plant's recovery and productivity.

If, however, your Pyracantha is old, overgrown, or unruly, it can withstand a hard prune to restore its shape. The shrub can be cut back by up to half of its size, and this should be done between March and October for the best results. Although it may take some time to recover, being a hardy shrub, it will inevitably regenerate.

Our top tip for pruning Pyracantha is to invest in a pair of thick gardening gloves. Pyracantha, also known as Firethorn, derives its name from its colourful berries and the long thorns that adorn the plant, making it an excellent intruder deterrent. Caution should always be exercised when pruning, but the rewards are plentiful, especially when the plant is in full flower or covered in a profusion of colourful berries.

Further Information

Our recommended planting densities for each size and root type are listed in the product grid. These should be used as a guide when considering the time you are willing to wait for your hedge to achieve its full appearance. As a general indication, bare root plants can be spaced at 3 to 7 per metre, while cell-grown plants can be spaced between 4 and 6 per metre. For higher densities, consider planting in a double staggered row or a zig-zag pattern.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.