cheapest way to grow Pyracantha?

Hi, I want to grow firethorn so a security hedge, I have an old wooden fence that I want to grow Pyracantha along, its about 20 feet long, I want a cheap way to grow it though! Can I grow it from seeds? B and q want £30 for 1, I don't have that money? How often do they need spacing for a thick security hedge? Or am I better off using Hawthorn?

Keith

 

Im a huge fan of Pyracantha for that sort of application - its a truly nasty thing to try to get past once established + good for the wildlife.

Cheapest way would have been to get some bare-root plants but you've missed your chance for this year - its easy to grow from cuttings if you have the time but not particularly expensive for potted plants from a hedging specialist - heres an example - Pyracantha Red Column 9cm pot - Pack of 12 - 30 40cm - - www.hedgenursery.co.uk £36+vat for 12 small plants.

 

I get my Bare Rooted plants from Ashridge Trees, and if you were quick there's still a couple of weeks of planting time left. However, as it happens Ashridge Trees sell them potted (but I doubt they are the cheapest source). £3.62 for 6-off, £3.47 for 30-off, etc. 60/80cm tall.

Buy Golden Charmer - Pyracantha

They have other varieties (I thought the common / cheap one had red berries ...)

The cheapest you will be able to get them (I would expect) is cell-grown, for example:

Norfolk Hedging Native Trees (4 of 5) - native trees and hedging plants from Norfolk, U.K.

15-20cm tall, £1.30 each

(No personal experience of that supplier)

If you don't want a Climber/Clinger and want free-standing instead, then Berberis is as vicious as Pyracantha :thumb: and those you should be able to get Cell-grown (best to plant before mid March if poss, but they can be planted later provided you can water them). I've had good service from these people too:

Barberry Shrubs - - Buy Evergreen Barberry (Berberis darwinii) online from UK hedging supplier of cell grown hedges and trees

10-20cm £3.00 10-off, ... £1.14 100-off, ... £0.94 1,000-off

Depends how long your fence is, and what size plants you want to start with

 

Have a look at this one; 30-45cm plants (you'll have to scroll down the page);

Hedging, Trees, Shrubs & Conifers O-Q from Buckingham Nurseries