Pyracantha: planting and care, breeding features

Pyracantha is a decorative evergreen shrub, beloved by horticulturists for white-cream fragrant flowers, which are plentifully strewn in the spring period, and shiny berries (yellow, red, orange) that stand out brightly on the autumn-winter background.

Description of the plant

Piracanthus, planting and caring for which gives real pleasure to many gardeners, native to Southeast Asia, is widespread in southern Europe, China, Taiwan, meets at the foot of the Himalayas and in the Crimea.

Representative of the Rosaceae family in natural conditions reaches 6-meter height and looks very similar to hawthorn and cotoneaster. Dark green leaves are oval in shape and sharp, long (up to 2.5 cm) spines in the beginning of summer can completely hide under fragrant small flowers, united in corymbose inflorescences. At the end of summer, abundant flowering is replaced by the appearance of berries, painted in the tone of autumn and present on the branches until the end of winter. Piracant fruits like to feast on birds, especially blackbirds. Gardeners fall harvest is of little interest because of the bitterness contained in the berries. Although for man the fruits of pyracanthus are not dangerous.

Types of plants

Piracanthus, the features of planting and care for which will easily master even a budding horticulturist, has 7 species of shrubs:

• Koizumi (representative of Taiwan).
• Rogers (growing in Yunnan).
• Coty.
• South Chinese.
• Blunt-toothed.
• Bright red.
• Narrow-leafed.

In the garden culture, the last two species are most in demand, being the basis for selection of new varieties and hybrids in selection science.

Pyracanthus narrow-leafed (P.augustifolia) is most suitable for cultivation in temperate climates. Plant height - up to 4 meters, flowers - white, small, fruits - bright orange color.

Pyracantha bright red (P.coccinea) is lower (about 2 meters). Characterized by a lush spreading crown and orange berries. The leaves are dark green. In the fall period they become red.

In the care of a plant, referred to in translation from English as "fire spike", it is rather unpretentious, calmly tolerates drought and frost. In order to preserve the rich green color of the leaves from the scorching rays of the sun in a hot period, the planting of pyracotta is best done in partial shade. At the landing site, there should be no drafts and close groundwater table.

Pyracantha: planting and care

Photo brightly demonstrates the charmingly luxurious beauty of the pyracantha. Like any plant, evergreen culture is most comfortable in fertile soil. In the absence of such, it adapts to the surrounding conditions, even if it is sandy slopes and stony screes. Irrigated activities are not necessary: pyracanthus, planting and care in the open ground beyond which are not labor-consuming, easy to feel even in the droughty period.

An important factor in caring for an evergreen perennial, characterized by active growth, is pruning. It should be carried out every year: in the early spring (before the movement of juices) and in the summer. In spring the shrub is cleaned from sick and old branches, it is recommended to shorten long young shoots in summer. To avoid injury, contact with the plant should be done only with gloves.

Features of reproduction

After summer pruning, the remaining tops can be used to breed shrubs. With this method (cuttings), all the features of the parent plant remain. Cuttings in the lower part are to be freed from the leaf mass, placed in moist sand. The first roots will appear in 2 weeks, increment after a couple of months. On a permanent growth site, young plants can be planted for the next year. To form a hedge, 2-year-old specimens are ideally suited, which are recommended not to be closer than half a meter from each other. Full-grown bushes can be admired after 3 years.

Piracanthus, planting and care for which is to carry out a minimum of measures, is also propagated by the seed method, producing seeding both in the autumn period and in the spring (after stratification of the seeds). It should be borne in mind that with this method of planting varietal characteristics are not preserved.

Pyracanthus in landscape design

Piracanthus, planting and caring for which are not particularly difficult, is an excellent option for the design of landscape design and is widely in demand as a hedge: beautiful, lush, reliably protecting private property from visits by uninvited guests. For this purpose, the pyracantha Red Columbus is the most suitable. Planting and care with the correct performance provide the plant with a demand for garden design. Evergreen culture, creating an atmosphere of naturalness and imitation of the wild forest, is harmonious in the background of a mixed flower bed (mixborder) and is often planted near the walls of houses and other farm buildings. Such a shrub is not suitable for vertical gardening, so its main branches are recommended to be fastened to the supports. After removing the support, the plant, which has the ability to become addictive, will continue to support the given form.

Indoor cultivation of pyracanthus

Piracanthus, planting and care for which even a beginning gardener is able to do, is quite popular as a kad plant and is in demand in such art form as bonsai (creation of miniature trees). An incredibly beautiful garden culture looks with a topiary haircut, as well as with a crown, formed in the form of a cascade.

Half-aged shoots can not be molded well, therefore it is better to correct the corrective action on young branches and do it very carefully due to the brittleness of the latter. With room-grown piracant, it is important to ensure the regularity of cuts and the provision of a cool climate in the winter. Transplantation of pottery copies is carried out every 2-3 years in a transshipment way, ensuring the safety of the root system.