With its glossy, dark green leaves and bright red berries, the Firethorn is an ornament to any garden. In spring, the thorn-armed shrub adorns itself with pretty white flowers, from which the brightly shining fruits develop from August.

demands on the location

Firethorn requires nutrient-rich, well-drained and humus-rich soil and sunny to partially shaded locations. The pH of the soil should be slightly acidic to alkaline. In contrast to other garden plants, firethorn also thrives well in cool and crowded places.

care and fertilization

The firethorn is an undemanding tree that requires little care. The thorn bush rewards fertilization in spring with numerous flowers and rich fruit set. Nitrogen-containing, organic fertilizers or compost are well suited.

The drought-resistant plant can do without additional watering even in dry summers. You should only wash the firethorn occasionally during long periods of heat.

To cut

Shorten the firethorn at least once a year so that it does not grow sparsely and forms long lateral shoots without branching.

  • The best time for heavy pruning is February.
  • With a sharp and clean rose scissors, shorten all branches without branching.
  • A second cut is made after flowering in July.
  • Watch out for breeding birds!
  • Do not remove all the flowers, otherwise hardly any fruit will form.
  • Do not cut back in autumn to avoid frost damage.

Firethorn hedges can be trimmed with hedge trimmers (€77.00). Work very carefully with this design cut so that there are no holes in the hedge.

diseases and pests

Firethorn is a hardy garden tree. If he feels comfortable in his location, the firethorn is rarely attacked by pests or diseases.

However, waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. Then rot quickly develops in the root area, which can massively damage the plant.

Does the firethorn need winter protection?

Only plant hardy firethorn varieties in the garden, as these do not require additional winter protection. Since the tree does not shed its leaves in winter, it is somewhat sensitive to sunny winter days and the frosty nights that follow. To avoid drought damage, it makes sense to shade the plants to minimize the evaporation of water through the leaves.

Specimens that are not frost-resistant should only be planted in tubs and overwintered in a frost-free room.

tips and tricks

The firethorn has very hard and strong thorns that can lead to painful skin injuries. Therefore, refrain from planting firethorn bushes near children's playgrounds.

Category:

Herbs