Red berries in fall and winter are the trademark of this plant. Pyracantha has been around a long time so it may not be considered in a new landscape design. But, take another look. The advantages of using pyracantha as landscaping material are many.

It is perfectly adaptable to the high desert. It comes equipped with thorns and fleshy leaves which can store water for the drought periods. Forget to water? Pyracantha is extremely drought tolerant and can take neglect and abuse and still grow. It is forgiving.

If placed right up against the house it will continue to function under the adverse conditions of the reflective heat and poor soil.

Chop it back and it is only encouraged and will push twenty more new starts on the limb you tried to remove. Pyracantha is very fast growing and will produce two to four feet in a season. It is quick to respond when trained as an espalier. The new growth is pliable and flexible and can be used to dress up a wall or frame a doorway. It can also be trained upon a trellis or fence.

Pyracantha can be used as a hedge or barrier plant, however it will require frequent trimming to maintain the desired form. It works well as a windbreak or as a control of erosion from a bank or arroyo. Many varieties of pyracantha are available from ground cover size to a specimen that will grow as tall as a house. The trunk of a mature plant can be as large as a small tree.

This plant is quite beneficial to native species. It creates a perfect shelter or nesting place for birds and small animals. The foliage is dense with many small limbs. The curved-bill thrashers and Western mockingbirds feed on the red berries.

The cut branches can become the foundation for a lovely Christmas centerpiece. The contrast of the dark green leaves and clusters of red berries lends itself well to the holiday season. Pyracantha is adaptable and useful. It is evergreen, drought resistant, and extraordinarily hardy.