Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ – A Vigorous, Compact Shrub with Stunning Orange Berries and Year-Round Interest
Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ is an outstanding, compact evergreen shrub known for its vibrant orange berries, glossy green foliage, and striking year-round appeal. This variety typically grows to a height of 1.5 to 2.5 metres, making it an ideal choice for smaller gardens, hedging, or as a low-maintenance ornamental shrub in mixed plantings. In spring, clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom, followed by a profusion of brilliant orange berries that persist well into winter, providing a burst of colour during the colder months. Its dense, thorny branches make it an excellent choice for security planting, while the plant's year-round visual appeal makes it a stunning addition to any landscape.
Why Grow Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’?
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Vibrant Orange Berries – The most striking feature of Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ is its brilliant orange berries, which appear in late summer and persist well into winter. These berries provide a pop of colour in the garden, attracting birds and adding winter interest when other plants have faded.
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Fragrant Spring Flowers – In spring, the shrub produces abundant clusters of small, white flowers that emit a subtle fragrance. These blossoms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding seasonal interest to the garden before the berries begin to appear.
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Compact & Dense Growth – Reaching a height of 1.5 to 2.5 metres, ‘Orange Sapphire’ is a more compact variety of Pyracantha, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, as a low hedge, or even in containers. Its dense growth habit provides natural privacy or security when planted along fences or walls.
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Evergreen Foliage – Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ retains its glossy, dark green leaves year-round, providing structure and interest to the garden even in the colder months. Its evergreen foliage contrasts beautifully with the colourful berries and offers a neat, tidy appearance throughout the seasons.
Planting & Care Guide
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Position: Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ thrives in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. For the best berry production and flowering, plant it in a sunny location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. In shadier spots, the plant may produce fewer berries but will still maintain its attractive form.
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Soil: This shrub is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils, as long as they are well-drained. Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil but can tolerate a range of pH levels. It is important that the soil is not overly wet, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot.
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Watering: Water regularly when newly planted to establish a strong root system. Once established, ‘Orange Sapphire’ is moderately drought-tolerant. However, regular watering during dry spells will help the plant thrive and ensure an abundance of berries. Ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging.
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Maintenance:
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Pruning: Pyracantha benefits from light pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Trim back any dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches to maintain the plant’s shape and encourage healthy new growth. Regular pruning helps keep the shrub compact and dense, promoting the production of berries.
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Feeding: Pyracantha does not require heavy feeding but can benefit from an annual application of balanced fertiliser in early spring to encourage healthy growth and abundant flowering. Avoid excessive fertilisation, as this can result in too much foliage at the expense of berries.
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Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots in winter. Ensure the mulch is not piled up against the stem to avoid potential rot.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ is a versatile shrub that pairs well with many other plants, thanks to its vibrant berries and glossy evergreen foliage. For a striking contrast, combine it with plants that have silvery or variegated foliage, such as Lavender, Artemisia, or Euonymus. The soft hues of these plants will highlight the bright orange berries and provide a nice contrast to the dark green leaves.
In a mixed border or hedge, plant ‘Orange Sapphire’ alongside spring-flowering bulbs like Daffodils, Crocus, or Tulips, which will bloom before the Pyracantha’s berries appear, creating a dynamic seasonal progression in your garden. For added interest, combine it with early-blooming shrubs like Forsythia or Spiraea, where the combination of flowers and berries will create a striking multi-season display.
For a wildlife-friendly garden, plant ‘Orange Sapphire’ alongside other berry-producing shrubs, such as Cotoneaster or Holly (Ilex), which will attract birds in the autumn and winter. These plants provide a valuable food source for wildlife, while also offering seasonal interest with their colourful berries.
Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ also looks beautiful in containers, where its compact size and vibrant berries make a bold statement. Combine it with trailing plants such as Ivy or low-growing perennials like Heuchera or Geranium for added texture and colour.
Whether used as a specimen shrub, a low hedge, or in containers, Pyracantha ‘Orange Sapphire’ will add year-round beauty to your garden with its vibrant orange berries, fragrant spring flowers, and glossy evergreen foliage. It is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that provides structure, colour, and wildlife value in any landscape.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
