Pyracantha Golden Charmer

Pyracantha 'Golden Charm' is one of those fiery bushes resistant to bacterial fire and canker that have restored their nobility to these thorny shrubs which were long relegated to a defensive role, maintained without care, because they are incredibly robust plants. Left to grow freely, 'Golden Charm' quickly displays a slightly unruly habit, with branches weighed down by yellow-orange berries blazing in the autumn light. Its branches arch with age, allowing it to be trained on an archway. In spring, the white flowers attract many pollinating insects, while its berries feed birds during the winter. A shrub that is very easy to grow even in poor soils, with multiple advantages, which deserves to be truly added into the garden decor!

Originating from Asia and southern Europe, pyracanthas have given rise to many horticultural varieties. Just like cotoneasters, they belong to the rose family. 'Golden Charm' has a slightly trailing bushy habit, reaching 4 metres (13 feet) in height with a spread of 2 to 3 metres. Its flowering period extends from May to July, depending on the mildness of the climate. Along the branches, numerous clusters of small pure white flowers appear in corymbs. This flowering is honey-bearing and pleasantly fragrant. It is followed by a fruiting of bright yellow-orange berries, 1 centimeter (0.5 inches) wide. The shiny, dark green foliage persists in winter and remains dense. The reddish branches are armed with formidable 3 centimeter (1 inches) long spines that arch as they age.

Overplanted, overpruned, diseased and overexposed? The modern pyracantha is in any case a shrub that tolerates any growing conditions and especially does not suffer from geometric or less artistic pruning. Perfect for uncultivated or even rocky soils, it has the advantage of bringing a bit of lushness and colour to neglected gardens and abandoned boundaries, while perfectly serving its role as a defensive plant.  Perfect for creating defensive hedges or topiaries, it will attract attention especially in autumn and winter with its abundant colourful fruiting, while preserving the garden from prying eyes and sheltering many small beneficial animals. Let it grow freely, in the distance, at the corner of a somewhat sad building, or at the edge of a natural grove; it will be spectacular in these conditions, either in flowers or in fruits. In hedges, mix it with other varieties to play with different fruit colours, but also with other shrubs like cotoneasters, hollies, eleagnus, deciduous or evergreen euonymus, brooms, bay laurels...