Is Pyracantha evergreen?

Yes, Pyracantha is an evergreen shrub. It keeps its shiny green leaves all year round, providing a permanent green screen ideal for hedges and trellises.

What exposure does Pyracantha need?

Full sun to partial shade. Pyracantha flowers and fruits more in the sun but tolerates partially shaded exposure, even in the city.

How do you prune a Pyracantha?

Prune after flowering (July-August) to maintain shape, avoiding cutting future berries. A light pruning in late winter is also possible to shape the plant.

Are Pyracantha berries toxic?

Yes, Pyracantha berries are toxic if ingested in large quantities. They are decorative but not edible, and should be kept out of reach of young children.

Yes, very hardy down to -15/-20°C. Pyracantha withstands frost perfectly and adapts to all French climates, even in the mountains.

When does Pyracantha bloom?

Pyracantha blooms in May-June with small, honey-producing white flowers. The colorful berries (orange, red, or yellow) then appear and last throughout the winter.

Does Pyracantha grow quickly?

Fast to moderate growth, 30-50 cm per year under optimal conditions. Pyracantha quickly forms a dense hedge or effectively covers a wall in a few years.

Does Pyracantha have thorns?

Yes, Pyracantha has sharp thorns. This is an advantage for defensive hedges but requires gloves when pruning and maintaining.

Pyracantha – Fiery bush for hedge and facade

Q: Can Pyracantha be grown in a pot?

Yes, in a large container of at least 40-50 liters. Ideal for balconies and terraces, potted Pyracantha offers a beautiful evergreen screen with its decorative berries.

Discover our Pyracantha (firethorn): an evergreen climbing shrub, covered with orange berries in autumn, ideal for hedges, facades, or balconies.

Pyracantha – The fiery bush, spectacular in every season

Pyracantha, nicknamed the "fiery bush," is one of the most versatile shrubs for an urban outdoor space. Evergreen, hardy, and very easy to care for, it offers three seasons of decoration: glossy green foliage all year round, fragrant white flowers in spring, and clusters of bright orange or red berries in autumn. A generous plant that requires almost no care.

Evergreen, useful, and highly decorative

Pyracantha is a reliable choice for greening a facade, structuring a balcony, or creating an effective privacy hedge. It climbs on a trellis or wall, quickly covering it with dense, shiny foliage. Its thorns also make it an excellent natural protective screen. Discover all our climbing and groundcover plants for more vertical greening ideas.

A feast for birds

In autumn and winter, Pyracantha berries attract birds — blackbirds, thrushes, and robins love them. It’s a simple way to welcome biodiversity into a garden or urban balcony. The spring flowers are also nectar-rich and attract bees. For other wildlife-friendly plants, check out our plants for balconies and terraces.

Growing tips

☀️ Exposure: full sun to partial shade, adapts to almost any orientation
🌱 Soil: any well-drained soil, even poor — very undemanding
💧 Watering: low once established, very drought-tolerant
✂️ Pruning: after spring flowering to preserve autumn berries
🏗️ Support: trellis or espalier to guide branches along a wall
❄️ Hardiness: very hardy down to −20 °C, ideal for all French climates

Frequently asked questions

Is Pyracantha dangerous?
Its thorns are sharp — wear gloves when pruning. Its berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in large quantities but safe for birds. If you have young children, consider this when placing the plant.

Can Pyracantha be grown in a pot on a balcony?
Yes, in a large, well-drained container with a trellis or wall support. It grows a bit slower than in the ground but remains just as decorative. Check out our guide how to choose the right pot to get started.

When does Pyracantha flower and fruit?
White flowers bloom in May–June. Berries appear in summer and reach their full bright orange color in autumn, often lasting into winter if birds haven’t eaten them first.

Does Pyracantha lose its leaves in winter?
No, it’s an evergreen shrub that keeps its glossy green foliage all year — a real asset for structuring an outdoor space even in the middle of winter.

Also to explore

Pyracantha is part of our Climbing & groundcover collection. Also discover our outdoor plants, our mini urban shrubs and perennials, and our plants for balconies and terraces to create a generous and structured urban outdoor space all year round.