WSU Clark County Extension
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Graber’s Pyracantha

Scientific name: Pyracantha fortuneana 'Graberi'
Taxonomy
Family:Rosaceae
Type:Evergreen shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:6 to 8
Sun:Full sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:12 ft
Width:10 ft
Bloom:Fragrant flowers
Bloom Time:April to May
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description With its lustrous dark green foliage, profuse white bloom and abundant supply of red berries, Graber's Pyracantha is nice addition to any landscape where it can be trained to form a beautiful espalier that offers year round interest.

  Morphology:
Graber’s Pyracantha, known as firethorn, is an evergreen shrub that can grow to 12’ and up to 10’ wide if left on its own. It bears simple, alternately arranged leaves which are lanceolate in shape and about 2” long. Leaves are dark green above and lighter below. They have a leathery texture.

Flowers appear in April and soon cover the limbs with their characteristic white 5-petaled stellate form. Flowers possess a pleasing fragrance. In August, red pome-like berries form as the flowers fade. During some years the red berries seem to completely cover the limbs. The berries hang on during the winter months and become a favorite staple for the larger songbirds, especially when they ferment!

Firethorn is named for the 1.5” long thorns that form along the branches. This plant can thus become an effective barrier as the thorns are very sharp.

  Adaptation:
As long as firethorn is given full sun it will grow on nearly all soil types. Once established it is considered drought tolerant. With its profusion of pliant shoots, pyracantha is easily trained into tiers of horizontally trained limbs,thus making a 2-dimensional espalier that can be used to cover a wall or hide a chimney.

  Pests:
Fireblight may be a problem.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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