Pyracantha 'Orange Charmer' S-pot®

Planting Pyracantha ‘Orange Charmer’

• About the plant

  • Evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub valued for masses of bright orange berries and white spring flowers.

  • Excellent for wildlife, providing nectar, shelter and winter food for birds.

• Choosing the right position

  • Plant in full sun to light shade; full sun gives the best flowering and berry colour.

  • Suitable for walls, fences, trellises, or as a free-standing shrub in a mixed border.

  • Allow enough space for its eventual size, typically 2–3 m high and wide if unpruned.

• Soil preparation

  • Grows in most well-drained soils, from light sandy to heavier clay, as long as there is no prolonged waterlogging.

  • Tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline conditions; add organic matter to very poor or thin soils.

  • Before planting, dig in garden compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure and water retention.

• Planting in the ground

  • Dig a hole twice the width of the rootball and about the same depth.

  • Water the plant in its pot beforehand so the rootball is evenly moist.

  • Place the plant so the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil.

  • Backfill, firm gently with your hands or foot, and water thoroughly.

  • If planting against a wall or fence, position 30–45 cm away from the base so roots can find moisture.

• Training on supports

  • Fix horizontal wires or a trellis before planting if training against a wall.

  • As stems grow, fan them out and tie them loosely to the support, spacing main branches to cover the surface evenly.

  • This fan-training approach shows off the flowers and berries particularly well.

• Planting in containers

  • Use a large, heavy container with drainage holes, at least 40 cm in diameter.

  • Fill with a mix of peat-free multi-purpose compost and some grit for drainage.

  • Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm lightly and water well.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

• Watering

  • Keep newly planted shrubs consistently moist for the first growing season.

  • Once established, Pyracantha is reasonably drought tolerant, needing only occasional deep watering in very dry spells.

  • Container plants dry out faster and will need more regular watering, especially in summer.

• Feeding

  • Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser around the base in spring to support flowering and berry formation.

  • For container plants, use a liquid tomato or general-purpose feed every 3–4 weeks from late spring to midsummer.

• Mulching

  • In spring, apply a 5 cm layer of compost or fine bark mulch around the root area.

  • Mulch helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds and keep the root zone cool.

  • Keep mulch away from direct contact with the stems to prevent rot.

• Pruning for shape and fruit

  • Best time to prune is late winter to early spring, after the berries have been enjoyed by birds but before new growth starts.

  • Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches first to open the framework.

  • Shorten long, wayward shoots to maintain overall shape and keep growth flat to a wall if trained.

  • Avoid very hard pruning into old wood in a single season; reshape gradually over a couple of years if needed.

Seasonal Tips, Safety and Problem Solving

• Seasonal interest

  • Spring: clusters of small white flowers on last year’s wood.

  • Summer: glossy green foliage and developing berry clusters.

  • Autumn and winter: bright orange berries provide striking colour and wildlife value.

• Thorns and safety

  • Stems carry strong thorns; wear sturdy gloves and long sleeves when pruning or tying in stems.

  • Avoid planting directly beside narrow paths or play areas where branches might snag passers-by.

• Pests and diseases

  • Watch for scab or leaf spots causing dark blotches or premature leaf drop; rake up fallen leaves and avoid overhead watering.

  • Fireblight can occasionally affect Pyracantha, causing shoots to wilt and blacken; cut out affected stems well into healthy wood and dispose of them, cleaning tools afterwards.

  • Aphids may appear on soft tips; they can often be controlled by squashing, hosing off, or encouraging natural predators.

• Long-term management and uses

  • Regular light pruning keeps the plant dense, fruitful and manageable in size.

  • Makes an excellent intruder-deterrent hedge due to its dense, thorny branches.

  • Combine with evergreen climbers or contrasting foliage shrubs to highlight the vivid orange berries and extend interest throughout the year

• Size
  S-pot®(2,25 L)

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.