Pyracantha

[rockyracoon]

Can this be successfully grown in pots? Would it grow to about 6ft do you think? I've got a bit of vulnerability on the boundary of my garden that could be tempting to a burglar. There's no soil to plant anything so pots are the only way to go.

Thanks for any replies.

[bookbinder]

A few answers here:
http://www.growsonyou.com/question/show/65066

[woofgang]

Big tubs yes. and six foot, easily. Get the biggest tubs you can fit and use John Innes number three mix or Levington tree and shrub mix.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks bookbinder, mixed opinions on the subject so it seems.

[rockyracoon]

Thank you Woofy, will it affect the fence at all (it's not ours)?

[bookbinder]

Glad I could help. Best of luck.

[rockyracoon]

Thank you :)

[woofgang]

rocky I have got one I keep as a bonsai. Its about 8 inches tall but doing fine. As I said, you just need big tubs if you want big shrubs.

There are very few shrubs and trees that won't grow in big pots or tubs provided they have the right soil and are kept watered. There are specialist nurseries who make money by growing trees in tubs and containers and then selling them to rich people who want instant gardens.
here's one but there are more
http://www.majestictrees.co.uk/portfolio/our-nursery.html
google mature trees for sale

[woofgang]

keep it pruned so it stays thick and bushy. It doesn't need to be trained or fastened to anything. Treat the fence before you plant them if it needs treating because they are thorny devils to shift afterwards.

[rockyracoon]

Excellent, thank you :)

[boxtops]

It'd be brill. I planted two in very poor soil at the bottom of my then open garden 15 years ago - it's now about 8 ft high and extremely prickly. BIG pots would be fine!

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Boxy, I've got a couple of huge pots and I think I'll nip down the garden centre later. I really need to get this area seen to.

[boxtops]

It did take a little while to establish - so I put a bit of trellis up on top of the fence in the meantime to act as an extra deterrent. It grows like the clappers once it's going - you'll need to keep it pruned otherwise it just keeps growing. Thr backbirds will like you, they love the berries :-)

[Sparkles62]

We had similair problem years ago, asked around local plumbers forplastic cold water tanks that they were removing,
They are a really good size,
we sprayed them with stone effect paint and planted them up, they look fine and do the job . X

[rockyracoon]

Boxy, I have some resident blackbirds so they'll be happy, they could probably nest safely in there too, away from the magpies.

That's a great idea Sparkles, thank you.

[atalanta]

I imagine a burglar might be more discouraged by a holly than by a pyracantha. My 2 pyracanthas grow vigorously, and seed themselves too. But a burglar has only to throw a coat over them to avoid the prickles. Nettles might be better still.

[rockyracoon]

Did think of holly as we have a tree out the front but it's a bit too slow growing. I'll give it some thought though, thanks. :)