![Pyracantha rosaceae bonsai in 2018](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_0005-2018.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
The ‘Firethorns’ are related to Cotoneasters. They are one of the best and hardiest evergreen flowering and fruiting shrubs for north and east walls.
This tree started life as a cutting taken from a local park in 1980. It was grown for two years in a large pot and then planted against the back wall of my house.
![Pyracantha year after being dug up](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xpyracantha300.jpg?resize=579%2C565&ssl=1)
It grew up and over the top of the patio doors and along the wall for the next ten years. It was then dug out to make room for a conservatory in 1996.
It was as it was being thrown into the skip, that I wondered if I could redevelop it as a bonsai. It had a good lower trunk but it was taken out with very little care and it only had one or two fine roots.
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dscf0087.jpg?resize=984%2C1024&ssl=1)
The tree grew away strongly, selecting branch lines and styling started straight away with any flowers cut off, so all the energy went into branch growth.
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dscf0142.jpg?resize=1024%2C999&ssl=1)
Root pruning was carried out every two years. It was fed heavily with rape seed cakes and liquid fertiliser.
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Chelsea-2015-Gold-medal.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
The tree is now grown in pure Akadama. It is fed most days during the growing season with Chempak Number 8 at quarter strength, as instructed on the packet.
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_0091.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_0097.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
It is only allowed to flower every two years this gives a good even covering of flowers. In the spring when it shows the first sign of new growth I leaf prune the largest and any showing signs of disease leaving only the smaller leaves, this has the effect of giving a smaller set of leaves. I keep the vigour the same all over the tree by pruning or removing leaves during the rest of the growing season.
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_6293.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_6295.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bristol-2015.jpg?resize=770%2C739&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/swindon-bonsai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_0294.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
The tree is now 60 cm x 60 cm wide in a Walsall Ceramics pot.
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