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rarely pyracantha berries

I've had 2 pyrcantha for 20 + years and berries are a rarity. In the past I've had flowers but the berries shrivelled before developing which seemed to be pyracantha scab. 
I started picking up fallen dead leaves and pulling off those diseased and last year had a very good crop. This year few flowers and 1 bunch of berries. It does get odd patches of "cotton wool" on the lower/mid branches, but I think this is harmless. One is at the back of the house SW and the front NE, so doubt position is a factor. 
There is pruning of course which is a bit of a mystery and it seems that whenever it is done that there will be some loss of flower and berries, but I follow recommendations.

A useful shrub for covering the garage, but frustrating that its major feature fails.

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,366
    It might be scab which is affecting it. 
    I've never had problems with pyracanthas, and I've grown them for years, but last year [2020] I had berries blackening etc on one shrub - mine form a part of my boundary hedging. I did a bit of intensive pruning of all the affected branches, and this year it has definitely been better. I'm hoping next year will see a bigger improvement. 

    This might give you some help
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/pyracantha-scab
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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