FIRETHORN – Common name for Pyracantha, a genus of shrubs, mostly thorny, native in South Europe and Asia, belonging to the Rose Family, and sometimes known as Firebush. Where hardy they are beautiful shrubs for various purposes – as climbers against a wall, for forming a hedge, or as dense bushes in the shrub border. They show to particularly good advantage on a slope. A sunny position in well-drained soil suits them best. Sudden browning or blackening and die-back of twigs is due to fire blight (which see), a bacterial disease common on apple and several ornamental shrubs. Prune out diseased shoots well below the infected area with pruning shears dipped in a disinfectant, such as a mercuric bichloride solution, between each two cuts. Lacebugs, especially prevalent in the Mid-south, are controlled with contact insecticides.
Only Pyracantha coccinea and its varieties can stand much frost, these being fairly hardy as far North as Mass. Propagated by seed, cuttings, layers and grafting.
Principal Species
Pyracantha coccinea coccinea grows to 6 ft. as a bush, or to 20 ft. against a wall. It has oval leaves an inch or more long, and is of striking appearance in fruit, with berries of bright red. Var. lalandi is hardier, more vigorous, and has showy orange-red fruit.
angustifolia has long slender, often prostrate branches, narrow leaves gray beneath, and bright orange or brick-red berries.
gibbsi grows to 10 ft. or more, with shining leaves and large red berries in abundance. Var. yunnanensis has smaller red berries which ripen later and remain until spring.
crenulata grows to 20 ft., with lustrous bright green leaves and orange-red berries. Var. flava is a form with yellow fruit.
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