Species Formosa firethorn

Formosa firethorn

Pyracantha koidzumii

Also Known As - Taiwan firethorn
Formosa firethorn (Pyracantha koidzumii) is a large evergreen shrub grown primarily for its profuse clusters of bright orange-red berries in late summer and fall. It’s an attractive rounded shape featuring deep-green foliage with thorny branches. It grows up to 5m/16ft high and can spread up to 4m/13ft wide. It flowers in mid to late spring with numerous small, white, fragrant flowers. Its berries attract birds into gardens and the dense foliage provides shelter for wildlife. Formosa firethorn is an excellent choice as a shrubby hedge or can be trained as an espalier or used in containers or as a specimen plant. It grows in most soils and performs best in full sun and slightly acidic soil.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Greenwood Cuttings

Hardiness Zone:

8

Flowers:

Showy, White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Rocky , gravelly , dry, Well-drained

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

Formosa firethorn should be watered frequently but not submerged in water. It should be given water when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Aim to water the plant 1 to 2 times per week, every other day in hot weather. Make sure not to over water it, however, as this can lead to root rot. During winter, when the plant is dormant, it should be watered less frequently, allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again.

sunlight

Formosa firethorn (Pyracantha Koidzumii) requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. This plant species does well in full sun, however it is tolerant of some light shade, especially during the warmest parts of the day. For best results, the Formosa firethorn should be planted in an area that receives full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon. Proper air circulation is also important for this species, so it should be planted in an area with plenty of open space.

pruning

Formosa firethorn (Pyracantha koidzumii) requires moderate pruning to maintain its health and shape. Prune during the spring shortly after blossoming. Prune lightly, removing no more than 1-third of the current growth. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Shorten long, lanky branches and thin shoot overcrowding to improve air circulation. Trim back the leader branches to keep the plant from becoming too top-heavy and to encourage the development of lateral growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Pyracantha koidzumii typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map