A native of western China, Chinese firethorn is an upright, evergreen shrub planted for heavy crops of brilliant orange-red berries that appear in fall. Its dense, dark green, glossy foliage develops red-brown hues in fall and winter. In spring, plants bear clusters of white flowers that develop into orange-red fruits that resemble miniature apples.
Chinese firethorn prefers full sun and is adaptable to a wide range of well drained soils. It is versatile, and can be planted as informal hedging, in shrub borders or trained as an espalier or bonsai specimen.
This plant self-sows abundantly in favorable climates, and is considered a noxious weed in parts of Australia. It is sometimes offered under the name Pyracantha crenatoserrata. (source: learn2grow.com)
Genus - Pyracantha
Species - Fortuneana
Common name - Chinese Firethorn
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 7 - 10
Height - 10'-12' / 3.0m - 3.7m
Spread - 6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Clay, laom, Sand, well drained
Water requirements - Drought tolerant, average water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Germination rate - 88%
Bloom season - Spring, Late Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green, Dark Green / White
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Soak in hot tap water for 24 hours 2. Cold/moist stratify for 90 days in moist vermiculite or sterile soil. 3. Sow seed 1/16" (1mm) deep, tamp the soil, lightly mulch the seed bed. Plant the seeds in a container in a mixed medium of horticultural sand and peat or another organic material at a ratio of 1:1. Never plant firethorn seeds in regular soil. When planting seeds in the fall, cover the peat/sand mixture with a layer of coarse grit, available at garden supply stores, and leave them outdoors for the winter. Seeds planted in the spring don't require coarse grit, though it helps. |