Firethorn Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' (PBR)
ABOUT
The Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise', popularly known as Firethorn 'Golden Paradise', is an eye-catching ornamental shrub. It is known for its vivid foliage and decorative berries. The plant features small, oval-shaped leaves that boast a striking golden-yellow color, which can brighten up any garden space. This vibrant foliage provides a stunning contrast to the clusters of white flowers that bloom in spring. The flowers are delicate and usually appear in dense clusters that can cover the branches, giving the plant a frothy, white appearance. As the season progresses, these flowers give way to the Firethorn 'Golden Paradise's most notable feature: its berries. These berries can range in color from bright red to orange or yellow, creating a spectacular display that persists throughout the fall and into the winter, providing a splash of color in the colder months. The berries are not only a visual treat but also attract birds and wildlife to the garden. The structure of the Firethorn 'Golden Paradise' is characterized by its dense, thorny branches that can provide excellent coverage, making it ideal for use as a hedging plant or a security barrier. Its thorns, which are sharp and plentiful, can discourage intruders and some types of wildlife from traversing the shrub. Despite its rugged defenses, the Firethorn 'Golden Paradise' overall has an elegant and lush appearance that can enhance the aesthetic value of any landscape.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Firethorn, Golden Paradise.
Common names
Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
Firethorn is known to be mildly toxic when ingested. The berries and other parts of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can lead to cyanide poisoning when consumed in large quantities. Symptoms of poisoning may include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is advisable to seek medical attention if ingestion occurs, especially for children or individuals with sensitive digestive systems.
To pets
Firethorn can also be toxic to pets if its parts, especially berries, are ingested. The plant contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause symptoms of toxicity such as vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing and potential lethargy due to cyanide poisoning. Pet owners should ensure that their animals do not eat the berries or any part of the plant and should contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
White
Height
3-4 feet [0.9-1.2 meters]
Spread
3-4 feet [0.9-1.2 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Southeastern Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive foliage: Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' has vibrant green leaves with golden hues, adding color to any garden setting.
- Year-round interest: This plant provides visual interest throughout the seasons with its foliage, flowers, and berries.
- Dense growth habit: The thick and dense growth of Pyracantha can be used for privacy screens or hedges.
- Berries for wildlife: Produces bright orange-red berries that are a valuable food source for birds.
- Hardiness: It is a hardy plant that can withstand low temperatures, making it suitable for various climates.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, it has good resistance to drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Easy to shape: Can be easily pruned and shaped to create formal designs or topiaries in the landscape.
- Disease resistance: Generally resistant to common plant diseases, ensuring longevity and less maintenance.
- Pollinator-friendly: The white flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it an ideal plant for gardeners of all levels.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Creative Fencing: Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' can be trained against a fence to create a living barrier that not only deters intruders with its thorns but also adds a splash of color with its bright berries and foliage.
- Natural Habitat: Planting Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' can provide a habitat and food source for birds and beneficial insects, making it a useful addition to wildlife gardens.
- Photography Backdrop: The striking foliage and bright berries of the Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' make it an excellent backdrop for photographers, especially during autumn when the berries ripen.
- Erosion Control: Because of its dense root system, Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' can be used on slopes or banks to help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
- Seasonal Decoration: Branches laden with berries can be cut and used in floral arrangements or as holiday decorations during the fall and winter months.
- Privacy Screening: With its dense growth habit, Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' can be used to create a privacy screen in gardens and along property lines.
- Garden Sculpting: Pruning and training this plant can result in various shapes and forms, such as arches or even garden sculptures if grown over supportive frames.
- Noise Reduction: When planted in mass, Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' can help dampen noise pollution with its thick and bushy growth.
- Thermoregulation: Its dense foliage can provide a microclimate in the garden, which helps to regulate temperature extremes, offering a cooler spot during hot weather.
- Learning Tool: Gardeners can use this plant to practice pruning techniques and learn about plant growth habits, as Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' responds well to being shaped and trained.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Firethorn is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Firethorn is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: The rugged thorns of Pyracantha, also known as Firethorn, symbolize protection and defense, suggesting the plant can act as a barrier against negative forces.
- Prosperity: The 'Golden Paradise' variety, with its bright yellow berries, signifies wealth and abundance, perhaps due to the resemblance of its berries to golden coins.
- Good Fortune: In some traditions, the abundant fruit production of Firethorn is associated with good luck and the promise of a fruitful future.
- Vitality: With its evergreen leaves and tenacious nature, Firethorn represents life and vitality, indicating health and vigor that lasts all year round.
- Hardiness: The plant's ability to thrive in tough conditions represents endurance and the power to stand firm against adversity.
WaterThe Firethorn 'Golden Paradise' should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is thoroughly soaked. During the summer or more arid months, water twice a week if the weather is particularly hot or dry. Generally, you should aim for about one gallon of water per session for established plants, adjusting as needed for rainfall. Newly planted firethorns may require more frequent watering, such as every two or three days, to help establish their root system. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering again to prevent overwatering.
LightFirethorn 'Golden Paradise' thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot would receive direct sunlight for at least six hours per day, ensuring vibrant foliage and abundant berry production. However, it can also do well in areas with light dappled shade, especially in regions with very intense sunlight.
TemperatureThe Firethorn 'Golden Paradise' can endure a range of temperatures and is hardy down to 10°F. It prefers a temperate climate with average temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F. Extreme heat above 95°F can stress the plant, especially if it is in direct sunlight without adequate water.
PruningFirethorn 'Golden Paradise' should be pruned to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and promote air circulation within the plant. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. However, light pruning to shape the plant or trim back overgrowth can be done at any time of year.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFirethorn 'Golden Paradise' thrives in well-drained loam or sandy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. For optimal growth, a mix of two parts garden soil, one part sand, and one part compost or well-rotted manure is recommended to ensure good drainage and fertility.
RepottingFirethorn 'Golden Paradise' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it becomes root-bound. Younger plants may need repotting more frequently, whereas mature specimens can be repotted less often as their growth rate slows.
Humidity & MistingFirethorn 'Golden Paradise' prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to lower humidity conditions commonly found in outdoor environments. It does not have specific high humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright, indirect light and well-draining soil for Firethorn.
Outdoor
Plant in sun or partial shade with well-draining soil for Firethorn.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cyclePyracantha 'Golden Paradise', commonly known as Firethorn, begins its life as a seed, which under suitable conditions, germinates to form a small seedling. As it grows, the plant enters a vegetative stage, where it develops a robust root system, stems, and foliage, characterized by its spiny branches and bright yellow-green leaves. During the spring, the Firethorn progresses to a flowering stage, producing clusters of small white flowers that attract pollinators to the garden. Following pollination, these flowers develop into bright orange-red berries by late summer or early autumn, which are a distinctive feature of the plant and provide food for birds and wildlife. Throughout its lifetime, Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise' undergoes periods of growth and dormancy, adapting to seasonal changes by shedding leaves in colder climates or remaining evergreen in milder regions. Eventually, as part of its perennial life cycle, the plant reaches maturity, potentially producing seeds to complete the cycle, while older specimens may gradually decline with age after several years of vigorous growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Pyracantha 'Golden Paradise', often known as Firethorn, is commonly propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. To propagate Firethorn, the best time to take cuttings is in the late summer when growth from the current year has begun to mature but is not yet fully hardened. Cuttings should be about 6 to 8 inches long and include several leaf nodes. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to enhance root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring at least two nodes are buried where roots and new shoots can develop. The pot should be kept in a warm and humid environment, ideally with bottom heat, until the cutting has rooted, which typically takes a few weeks to a few months. During this time, the cutting must be kept moist but not waterlogged to prevent rot.
