Piracanta (or pyracantha), also known as firethorn, is a thorny evergreen shrub, which produces fruits in the shape of small red, orange or yellow berries. Grow piracantha by transplanting a young specimen into your garden. Once it has taken root, it will not require special care.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Choose the right cultivar
Each cultivar has its own characteristics, slightly different from those of the others. Choose the one that meets your personal needs.
- The varieties of the piracanta Apache, Fiery Cascade, Mohave, Navaho, Pueblo, Rutgers, Shawnee, and Teton are resistant to disease.
- The Apache piracanta reaches 1.5m high and 1.8m wide. It produces bright red berries.
- The Fiery Cascade piracanta reaches 2.4m high and 2.7m wide. It produces orange berries that gradually turn red.
- Piracanta Mohave can reach 3.7m height and width and produces orange-red berries.
- Piracanta Teton survives well in cold climates and can grow to 3.7m in height and 1.2m in width. The berries are golden yellow in color.
- Gnome piracanta is cold-hardy and produces orange berries, but tends to be more prone to getting sick. It comes to 1.8m high and 2.4m wide.
- The Lowboy piracanta grows in height up to 60-90 cm, but in width it extends much more. It produces orange berries and is not very resistant to disease.
Step 2. Plant it in the fall or spring
The best time to plant piracanta is from early to mid-autumn, but after this season, the next best time is early spring.
Step 3. Choose a spot from which it can receive a lot of sun
All varieties of piracanta live and fruit best when planted in areas where they can enjoy full sun exposure, but most are able to survive quite well even in partial shade.
Avoid points facing west, as the sunlight may be too intense
Step 4. Look for areas where the soil is well drained
Typically, piracantha can tolerate various types of soils, but is best found in well-drained ones.
- In fact, this plant is perfect for not very fertile soils. In fact, nutrient-rich soils can make the shrub very dense. As a result, it becomes less resistant to diseases, such as fire blight, and can produce fewer fruit.
- Keep in mind that for pyracanth the ideal soil pH is between 5, 5 and 7, 5. In other words, it survives well in neutral or slightly acidic soils.
Step 5. Consider growing the plant espalier, leaning against a wall or fence
Most cultivars tend to spread if they are not used to growing against a high surface. Therefore, plant the shrub near a bare wall or fence to stimulate upward growth.
- The thorns of the piracanta are dangerous. When the plant grows tall instead of wide, the thorns are difficult to reach and, therefore, harmless.
- When growing espalier piracanta, choose a spot 30-40cm away from the wall. The ground close to the wall may be too dry.
- Avoid planting the shrub next to a painted wall, door, or gate as the thorns and prickly leaves can scrape off the paint.
- It is also recommended not to lean the plant against the foundations of single-story buildings, as it could overgrow and cause problems.
Part 2 of 3: Transplanting the Piracanta Shrubs
Step 1. Dig a hole twice the size of the root system
Use a shovel to dig a hole twice the size of the container that currently holds the piracanta plant. The ditch should be approximately the same depth as the container.
Step 2. Gently remove the plant from the container
Tilt the container containing the pyracantha to one side. Slide a shovel or garden shovel around the perimeter of the container to loosen the root mass and soil, then gently pull the plant out by pressing it from below.
- When you remove the plant from a disposable plastic wrap, you can press on the sides to pop it out.
- If you need to get the plant out of a solid container, slide the scoop along one side of the container. Once deep inside, tilt the handle back. By prying, you should more easily extract the root system.
Step 3. Transfer the plants to the hole you created
Place the piracanta in the center of the hole. Fill the remaining space with earth.
Make sure the shrub is planted to the same depth it had in the previous container. If you surround the stem with too much soil, you risk weakening or killing the plant
Step 4. Add a small amount of organic fertilizer
Sprinkle a handful of bone meal on the soil around the base of the plant. Incorporate it gently into the soil, using your hands or a small garden fork.
Bone meal is an organic fertilizer that adds phosphorus to the soil. It can stimulate root growth and favor plant engraftment. If you want to use another fertilizer, be sure to choose one that is rich in phosphorus
Step 5. Space the plants properly
If you choose to plant various piracantha shrubs, you should arrange them 60-90cm apart.
Keep in mind that if you choose to plant several rows to create a thicker hedge, each row should be about 70-100cm apart
Step 6. Water constantly for plants to take root
Water the piracantha regularly starting the first month after its transplant. It will need more water than usual, as it will have to establish its roots in the garden soil.
- The soil should get some water every day. If the weather forecast does not announce rain during the day, lightly water the soil in the morning.
- While the soil should not be so wet that it forms puddles, it is important not to allow it to dry out completely during this growing period. Plants may become stressed and start shedding leaves.
Part 3 of 3: Care of the Piracanta
Step 1. Water it in moderation
Once established, piracanta can survive a mild to moderate dry spell, but if the soil hasn't received rainwater in more than a week, you'll need to water around the base of the plant using a garden hose. Give enough water to saturate the soil well.
- If the plant starts shedding its leaves, it probably isn't getting enough water all the time.
- If the leaves begin to turn yellow or the stem of the plant becomes soft, it may be getting too much water.
Step 2. Grow the espalier plant if desired
If you plant the piracanta against a wall or fence, instead of growing outwards, it will be stimulated to grow upwards when it meets the support of this structure.
- Most piracanta cultivars are strong enough to hold up against a wall or fence without any help, but still, if tied up, the plant will grow better.
- Run cables along the wall next to the pyracantha and tie the branches of the shrub to these wires with cord or electrician's cable tie.
- If you want to hang the pyracantha on a fence or trellis, you can tie the branches directly to the structure using electrician cord or cable tie.
Step 3. Mulch
Spread a 5cm layer of organic mulch around the base of each pyracanthus shrub. Mulch can retain moisture, thus preventing the plant's roots from weakening in periods of intense drought.
Mulch also protects the plant from frost during cold winters
Step 4. Use the fertilizer with caution
Usually, the piracanta does not need fertilizer. In fact, if it is rich in nitrogen, it can be more trouble than good.
- Nitrogen causes too many leaves to be produced. As a result, fruit production will be poor and the plant may be more vulnerable to disease.
- If you decide to fertilize the plant, use a balanced fertilizer that contains equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, or one that has more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen. Apply once in early spring and a second time in late summer.
Step 5. Prune three times a year
Technically, you can prune the piracanta at any time of the year, but many gardeners prefer to prune the shrubs once in mid-spring, once in the first half of autumn and a third in late autumn or early winter.
- Wait for the plant to finish flowering in mid-spring to cut new branches. Prune new branches as you like, leaving at least a few flowers so they will bear fruit in the fall. Keep in mind that fruits only develop on branches that are at least one year old.
- Prune the leaves of the plant once it bears fruit in the first half of fall. It will be enough to cut the branches so that the fruits prey on air and do not rot.
- Select the leaves and branches to remove in late fall or early winter to bring out the vivid color of the berries.
- Regardless of when you prune the plant, you should never cut more than a third of the branches.
Step 6. Treat the plant against pests when necessary
Aphids, ladybugs, tingids, and spider mites are the four pests most likely to show up. If they cause an infestation, treat the shrub with a suitable pesticide, following the instructions on the label.
If you intend to consume the fruits of the pyracanth, it is highly recommended that you use organic pesticides rather than chemicals
Step 7. Watch out for fire blight and scab
Fire blight is a bacterial disease that kills this plant. Scab is a fungal disease that causes leaf loss and causes fruits to take on a sooty dark color, making them inedible.
- It is more effective to prevent than to cure a disease. Choose disease resistant cultivars and maintain adequate humidity and air circulation conditions.
- There is no known remedy to stop the spread of fire blight once it has developed.
- If scab develops, you can try treating the disease with a fungicide. However, the treatment may not necessarily be successful.
Advice
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You can use piracanta berries in various dishes. Similar to wild berries, they measure around 6mm in diameter and are usually red or orange-red in color. Collect them once they take on this color and use them in the preparation of jellies and sauces.
- Boil 450g of piracanta fruit in 175ml of water for 60 seconds.
- Filter the juice, then add 5 ml of lemon juice and a sachet of pectin powder.
- Bring the juice to a boil, add 175ml of sugar and boil for another 60 seconds. Stir constantly.
- Pour the gelatin into warm, clean jars. Seal them and store the jelly in the refrigerator.
Warnings
- Keep in mind that consuming certain parts of pyracanth may carry mild or moderate health risks. Piracanta belongs to the genus of plants that produce hydrocyanic acid. Although pyracanth itself does not usually contain this substance, it is advisable for people with weakened immune systems or weak lungs to consume the fruit it produces or any other part of this plant with caution.
- After transplanting the piracanta shrub once, it is best to leave it in place. The plant risks weakening every time you transplant it, so if it changes position several times, there is a risk that it will perish quickly.
