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Pyracantha 'Gold Rush'

Image of Pyracantha 'Gold Rush'

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Pyracantha 'Gold Rush'

Plant Common Name

Firethorn, Gold Rush Firethorn

General Description

Large golden yellow fruits, rivaling the size crabapples, occur in clusters across the spreading branches of the 'Gold Rush' firethorn. First selected as an ornamental shrub in 1959 by Brian Mulligan of the University of Washington, it was later named 'Gold Rush' and introduced into the nursery trade in 1975 by Joseph Witt.

A drought-tolerant hybrid, this thorny shrub has a spreading dense habit when young. As it matures it remains rounded but develops appealing jagged-edges. The semi-evergreen leaves are fine, glossy, dark green and turn bronze-green in fall and winter. In very cold winter weather they may drop off completely. In spring, it bears many showy clusters of small, white, musty-smelling flowers that develop into large, glossy orange-blushed yellow fruits resembling flattened miniature apples. These persist to late winter and usually are not eaten by birds until no other foods are available.

Grow firethorn in full sun and almost any well-drained soil, although slightly acid loams are best. It is versatile in the landscape and may be planted as an informal hedge, a specimen in a shrub border or trained as an espalier or bonsai specimen.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    9'-11' / 2.7m - 3.4m

  • Width

    10'-12' / 3.0m - 3.7m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Spreading

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Gold

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No