From pumpkins dotting the fields to leaves blazing on the trees, orange is November’s signature color. Ripening berries on pyracantha bushes across the state sport the seasonal hue.
Pyracantha favors North Carolina’s environmental conditions. Although this ornamental plant likes well-drained soil, it still flourishes in heavy clay. Pyracantha also endures hot, dry conditions. In fact, for best berry production, it demands full sun. Pyracantha grows aggressively in the garden — it can reach 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide — but regular pruning keeps it manageable. Cutting it back slightly in late fall prepares pyracantha for next year’s growing season and provides plenty of fresh, fiery clippings for indoor holiday arrangements.
When scoping out a location for pyracantha, gardeners must keep in mind its ability to stretch (up to two feet a year) and its sharp barbs, which give it the nickname firethorn. It’s best not to plant this species near entryways or garden paths.
Pyracantha is generally trouble free, but lace bugs and spider mites pose potential problems. Diseases threaten occasionally, particularly scab and fire blight. Both diseases affect the leaves and berries, causing them to discolor and fall off. Pruning away the infected areas is the best treatment for afflicted plants. Choosing disease-resistant cultivars, such as ‘Mohave,’ ‘Rutgers,’ ‘Shawnee,’ ‘Red Elf,’ ‘Apache,’ ‘Teton,’ and ‘Pueblo,’ prevents later trouble.
Despite its thorns and hassles, pyracantha earns its spot in the garden every autumn when those bright orange berries accentuate nature’s palette.
Why does this Haywood County town have some of the cleanest water in the state? It’s the result of the community’s efforts to keep the forests in its watershed pristine.
The spectacular views in North Carolina’s High Country aren’t just inspiration for writers, painters, and sculptors. Those landscapes — the rugged gray face of Grandfather Mountain, the vibrant fall leaves, the deep green meadows — are brushstrokes on Earth’s own canvas.
The sprawling vineyards and wide-open skies that stretch for miles across seven North Carolina counties offer relaxing getaways — not to mention some of the state’s finest wines — for Sunday drivers aching to escape the rush of city life.
Nothing lasts forever — and that’s what makes many of our cherished moments so special.
