Pyracantha 'Red Column' – The Striking Scarlet Berry Hedge for Bold Year-Round Impact
Pyracantha 'Red Column', commonly known as Firethorn, is a tough, upright evergreen shrub loved for its profusion of vivid red berries and dense, thorny structure. Combining ornamental beauty with practical benefits, it offers lush green foliage throughout the year, masses of white flowers in late spring, and a stunning display of red berries from late summer through winter. Its thorny nature makes it ideal for creating wildlife-friendly, impenetrable security barriers while adding bold seasonal colour to gardens.
Why Grow Pyracantha 'Red Column'?
Vibrant Red Berries – Dazzling clusters of bright red berries appear in autumn, lighting up the garden and providing valuable winter food for birds.
Evergreen Foliage – Glossy, dark green leaves offer year-round structure and colour, even in the dullest months.
Wildlife Magnet – Attractive to pollinators in spring with its flowers, and a vital source of food for birds during winter.
Hardy and Versatile – Thrives in a wide range of soil conditions, is drought-tolerant once established, and copes well with urban pollution.
Natural Security – The thorny, upright growth makes it an excellent choice for protective hedging and boundaries.
Height of Plant
Pyracantha 'Red Column' typically grows to around 3–4 meters in height and 1.5–2 meters in width, making it a strong, upright option for hedging or training against vertical structures.
Where to Site Your Pyracantha 'Red Column'
Thanks to its robustness and vivid berry display, 'Red Column' is suited to many locations:
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Defensive hedging and property boundaries
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Training along walls, fences, or trellises as a living wall feature
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Wildlife gardens for year-round habitat support
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Urban gardens needing resilient, colourful plants
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Mixed borders for late-season interest
How to Grow and Care for Your Pyracantha 'Red Column'
Soil – Prefers fertile, well-drained soil but is adaptable to heavier clay, sandy, or even chalky soils.
Light – Grows well in full sun to partial shade. For the heaviest berry display, a sunny position is best.
Watering – Water regularly while young; once mature, it is highly drought-tolerant.
Maintenance:
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Pruning – Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage berry production. Be sure to wear gloves to protect against thorns.
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Mulching – Mulch annually to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
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Pest & Disease Resistance – Generally hardy, though susceptible to fireblight and scab in humid conditions. Good air circulation helps prevent disease.
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Cold Hardy – Hardy down to around -20°C, ideal for colder climates.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Pyracantha 'Red Column' pairs well with other sturdy evergreens like Viburnum tinus or Euonymus, and it looks especially striking planted against lighter walls or contrasted with silver or variegated foliage. It also integrates beautifully into wildlife-friendly gardens alongside holly, hawthorn, and flowering shrubs.
With its bright berries, evergreen foliage, and strong, upright habit, Pyracantha 'Red Column' is the perfect choice for gardeners seeking vibrant colour, effective natural security, and year-round garden structure. Whether used as a hedge, a living wall, or a bold seasonal accent, it’s a practical and beautiful addition to any outdoor space.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.