Pyracantha as a free standing specimen shrub anyone?

Hi,

I've got a potted pyracantha "Red Column" that I don't really know what to do with. I was going to train it under my windows in the front garden but then I read that it can be used as a free standing specimen shrub. The thing is I don't think I've ever seen a pyracantha that hasn't been grown against a wall or fence and I can't visualise what it would look like.

I have a space in the back garden which could do with filling but I'm a bit concerned that a), if I have a free standing shrub it will look scruffy and b), that it might be a pain getting around as it's so thorny. If anyone can advise me as to what it would look like on it's own I'd be grateful. I definitely don't want to spend all my time clipping or pruning it into shape though. Also what plants would look good with it as a backdrop.

Thanks for any answers.

 

Thanks, I hadn't even thought of picking up the clippings! If it's left to its own devices does it become very untidy whether in a container or in the ground?

 

I'm very careful with the clippings when we prune anything like Pyracantha with sharp thorns. I have barrows / garden trailers with pneumatic tyres, easily punctured if you leave even a small bit behind. I put a dustsheet down to ensure I "harvest" all the clippings, and then burn them - I don't trust any shredder not to leave some sharp spines behind.

 

When I moved house I took a clipping of our pyracantha and put it in a patio tub. 7 yrs on and its looking better than ever. Yes, its not thick and bushy, but produces more and more berries every year! I clip any bits that get in my way but otherwise have pretty much left it to its own devices. I don't have any spare wall or climbing space so although I didn't intend on leaving it in the tub, that's where it still remains.

 

Hi Spotty,
It sounds like this Pyracantha of yours isn't suitable for your requirements, unless you can put it against the back fence, because it'll be a pain otherwise, (joke not intended)
How about giving it to a friend or swapping it if you can for something without the thorns.Cheers Justin

 

Thanks for all your advice everyone, I'm going to put the Pyracantha in my front garden against the house wall and below the windows where I am sure I, and it, will be happy. I will have to widen the flower bed that it will go into which is no bad thing as it will cut down on the amount of lawn I need to mow.

I was really curious what was meant by "suitable as a specimen plant" on the plant description as I just can't imagine that a pyracantha would look "right" stuck in the middle of a lawn where the thorns would be a problem.

Thanks again.

 

From soil to the bottom of the cill is about 6 foot so I'm hoping to be able to get away with it if I keep it in a container.