Pyracantha "Firethorn " Hedge- prunning advice

[Greenfingers Jo]

I'm in the middle of planting up a hedge and the labels say not to prune at all.
Will they bush out on their own to fill the gaps between or do they need pruning next winter?

Thanks
Jo

[Greenfingers Jo]

[ipt8]

The sooner you prune them the sooner they will bush out. They will bush from the height you prune at.
When I plant bareroot hedging I just cut them all down to 12" tall, you will get a good dense hedge that way.

[Greenfingers Jo]

Thanks for the advice.
I've still got another 40 plants to put in before teh hedge is finished.
If i get this done within the next month, will it be too late for winter pruning?
Thanks
Jo :)

[Palustris]

Short answer, no. Prune when you plant as suggested.

[Ceratonia]

Just to confuse things, RHS has the following, which seems to suggest pyracantha should not be pruned like other hedging plants.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0500/hedges.asp

My pruning advice would be 'very thick pair of gloves'  ;)

[Palustris]

Interesting, that advice has changed somewhat from when I last planted up Pyracantha as a hedging plant. The ones I planted on our Bee border fence were cut ack severely when planted and the subsequent new growths tied in to form a flat shape against the trellis.

[flowerlady]

My pruning advice would be 'very thick pair of gloves'

definitely - our pyracantha ALWAYS sends me septic from the thorns  >:(

[the_snail]

I Always like to use Eye protection also. Best be safe than sorry. Where good strong clothes also.

The_Snail