A narrow, upright firethorn with glossy dark green leaves, creamy-white blossom in early summer and heavy bunches of scarlet berries that hold well into winter. The thorns make it one of the best intruder deterrents we grow.
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Pyracantha ‘Red Column’, better known as firethorn, is grown for three things at once: evergreen cover, a long season of colour, and a set of thorns that makes it genuinely difficult to get past. The habit is naturally narrow and upright, which is what gives this variety its name and makes it a sensible choice where a full hedge would take up too much room.
Clusters of scented, creamy-white flowers open in late spring and early summer, and are followed in autumn by dense bunches of brilliant scarlet berries. Those berries sit against the dark green foliage right through the coldest part of the year, so the plant earns its place in winter when little else is doing anything. Blackbirds, thrushes and other garden birds strip them eventually, which is part of the appeal.
Left to grow it will reach around 3 metres, giving useful screening from neighbours or an unwelcome view. It is most often trained flat against a wall, fence or trellis — tie the main stems in as they extend and prune after flowering, taking care not to remove the wood that is carrying the developing berries.
It is not a fussy plant and will cope with most soils, though it does best in ground that stays moist but drains freely, in full sun or partial shade. It is worth avoiding three situations: exposed seaside gardens, deep shade, and windy spots.
Every plant we sell is backed by four decades of growing. Tell us about your garden and we’ll tell you honestly whether this is the right plant for it.
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