Hello, I've been reading about Pyracanthas (firethorn) as a hedging plant and it sounds promising. It is thorny and fast-growing (good for the alley location I am looking to work with) and it has berries that attract birds. I have never seen a pyracanthas hedge in Vancouver and was wondering if anyone has one or knows where I can see one. Also, I am wondering just how fast the thing will grow as security is one of the reasons I am planting a hedge. Thanks.
I hate pruning them, but the berries are nice. And they do grow fairly quick if the soil is decent. In Beaverton, Oregon, I saw one that someone sort of espallier / topiary pruned where these dense "arms" were anchored to a fence about 15' to the right, and 15' to the left. Very nicely manicured. I'm sure they had been working at it for at least 20 years or more.
Not quite a hedge, but there is a Pyracantha growing upright along one of the rock walls surrounding the pavilion in UBC BG, near the Food Garden.
Quite common over here. Yes, they do offer good security, but as MDV points out, a pain to prune. The branches tend to be very stiff and angular, with gaps and errant branches sticking up above the rest, so it doesn't look too tidy.
I like pyracantha because of the thorns and the berries but never have seen it as a stand alone hedge. It is typically trained against walls or fences. I don't see why you shouldn't use it but as noted by Michael F, pyracantha does have gaps. Other interesting hedges that I've seen are beech or barberry.
