Training pyracantha up a wall

joe.shimmin

I’m looking to train this pyracantha up this wall, roughly covering the square area you see in the first picture. I have planted it out from the wall so that it will get plenty of water and leaned it back a little so it doesn’t stand too proud of the wall. 

I think the next step is to put up a trellis behind it and start tying in the branches that go backwards, outwards and upwards and cutting back those that face forward. Is it as simple as that or is there anything else I need to know?
Thanks, Joe

K67

Sounds right to me but then mine is just a mess!
Have a look at this impressive specimen 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cmLS7V87eAE

Cambridgerose12

I suspect you may be better off using wires with vine eyes. It will last longer and probably be cheaper too. Prune in May and just in the way you are suggesting.

Dovefromabove

I know a similar one on a cottage wall, but it’s been
allowed to grow outwards as well, wider at the bottom than the top, so it’s sort of the shape of a Xmas tree sliced vertically down the middle, but in layers ... hard to describe but a thing of beauty and wonder.  I always enjoy driving past it. 😊 

KeenOnGreen

I agree with @Cambridgerose12  Use metal wire and metal bolts screwed into the wall.  Wooden trellis and any string or plastic ties that you use to attach it to the wall may eventually rot/break.

Pyracantha is very spikey and you don't want to be trying to re-attach a mature plant to the wall in years to come.  We have a huge Pyracantha hedge, and love it, especially when it's in blossom and covered in bees.  Too many gardeners overlook it, due to the thorns.

Here's a photo of the Pyracantha topiary at York Gate Garden near Leeds, to inspire you.  It's a fabulous little garden.

madpenguin

I have never used any sort of wires for Pyracanthas up a wall.
Just keep it trimmed where necessary,I do mine throughout the year.

rachelQrtJHBjb

If you do use wire then have vine eyes but at one end use wire tensioners so the line is taut. Start with the tensioners at maximum expansion and then tighten. Over time the line may go a little slack but you'll have a bit of room to further tighten the tensioner.

joe.shimmin

Great stuff. Thanks everyone!