Pruning a pyracantha
RubyRoss
Posts: 124
How should I prune this three year old pyracantha Orange Glow? Without doing anything I’ve been rewarded with an abundance of flowers and berries, but it looks like it needs guidance now. I want to cover the wall, which edges the veg patch. I will plant another one when I’ve cleared the wood piles.
Should I clip the top of those vertical stems to encourage branching? Do I need to worry about branches growing into each other or is that the point?
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I would be inclined to leave it for now and let the birds take them as it doesn't seem to be encroaching onto a path or anything.
I expect someone will be along with advice, in the meantime l found this
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1046826/pruning-a-pyracantha
Do you want a formal clipped hedge, or just a loose bush type structure? Pruning out the top growth will encourage side shoots, so I would do that next Spring if you don't want the plant to grow taller than the wall. Spring to Autumn is the best time to prune, and ideally after it has blossomed, as the bees love it.
If the plant is growing too far out from the wall, trimming it at the front will also encourage side shoots. It's doesn't matter if the shoots criss cross. We have a huge Pyracantha hedge, and it is a dense mass of criss-crossing shoots. They are very forgiving of severe pruning. We normally have to cut ours 2-3 times per year, as they grow quite fast when established.
Personally, I think they look best when formally trimmed, rather than left as a natural bush shape, but you do tend to lose some berries when trimming them. Don't be tempted to plant your other ones too close to the existing plant, as they can grow to be several metres wide given enough time.