Pyracantha or Firethorn

 

Firethorn can be fierce. The Police love it as a burglar deterrent. Used as a hedge or boundary it will keep people and dogs out. As long as you are prepared to wear gloves when you prune it there is no reason not to plant this bomb proof shrub.

Once established you have a robust evergreen with blossom and berries. It will make a successful wall shrub that does not require trellis. It grows quickly, can get very big if left un-pruned and is very tolerant of our heavy soils.

You have a choice of berries from yellow to orange or red. The varieties I have found in stock today are: Soleil d’Or (a bright yellow), Redstar, Red Column, Orange Charmer, and Mohave.