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Origins and main characteristics of pyracantha
Pyracantha is a perennial shrub native to Asia and Europe and belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is an evergreen shrub, having a full-bodied stem with sharp thorns, small dark dark green leaves and small white flowers that bloom in spring. During the summer months, the plant produces berries, comparable in shape and color to small apples. These berries are edible and have a sweet taste, due to the presence of a high concentration of glucose. The name pyracanthacomes from the Greek word “pyracanthos”, where “pyr” can be translated as “fire” and “acanthos” can be translated as “thorns”, with the relative meaning of “fire of thorns”. In Italy, the bush is also known as Agazzino.
pyracantha – Pyracantha fruits»>Exposure and watering of pyracantha
Pyracantha, to carry out its development, needs a bright place exposed to direct sunlight. The shrub, being native to Europe, is perfectly adapted to both cold and hot climates and is often present spontaneously in nature. As for cultivation, pyracantha should be watered only during the first years of life, carrying out the operation only if the soil is dry. Once its development is complete, the pyracantha feeds exclusively on rainwater during cold periods and requires infrequent watering in summer. When watering the bush, it is essential to avoid water stagnation: an excessive amount of water could rot the roots and trunk of the pyracantha, causing it to rot.
How to create a hedge with pyracantha
Pyracantha can also be grown in pots, but is generally used in the garden, especially to create hedges. Given the resistance of the bush to low temperatures, pyracantha should not be covered for the winter and should not be subjected to special treatments. Other advantages of the bush are represented by the beauty and the smell that emanate from the flowers that it produces, as well as the bright color that its fruits present during the summer. To create an attractive and sufficiently compact hedge, it is recommended to plant the pyracantha bushes at a distance of about seventy or eighty centimeters from each other, to allow the bushes to grow unhindered. Pyracantha pruning should be done during the month of October.
Pyracantha: treatment and prevention of pyracantha
At the end of the winter season, it is recommended to fertilize the pyracanto, choosing a granular fertilizer, in order to strengthen the roots and provide sustenance that water alone cannot give the bush. Pyracantha is a shrub resistant to attacks by parasites and fungi. It perfectly overcomes the attacks of the cochineal, but it suffers in particular from the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. This parasite is able to get inside small cuts or broken branches, quickly spreading through the bush, causing its death in a short time. There is no proper remedy to overcome the pest, so the only remedy is prevention, which can be implemented by periodically checking the bush for stem incisions or broken branches.