Pyracantha Soleil d'Or Golden Sun

Pyracantha Soleil d'Or (Golden Sun) is an evergreen ornamental thorny bush with large clusters of golden berries in winter that follow a cloud of white springtime flowers. It’s perfect for pollinators and if it’s grown against a wall effectively deters cats and intruders.

Pyracantha is native to a large area stretching from southwest Europe to Southeast Asia. The name pyracantha comes from the Greek ‘pyr’ for fire and ‘akanthos’ for thorn making it the ‘firethorn’ a very apt name given the toughness of its reddish thorny branches. Pyracantha are related to Cotoneaster but easily distinguished by their thorny branches and toothed leaves.

The variety Soleil d’Or is a sport of Moretti and was introduced in 1970. Soleil d’Or means Golden Sun in reference to its huge clusters of wintertime golden berries that each measure 1 cm in diameter which is very large for a pyracantha.  

Clusters of tiny white flowers appear in spring amid a dense covering of small glossy green leaves. The tiny flowers are lightly scented and attractive to pollinators hence Pyracantha Golden Sun has been awarded the RHS Perfect for Pollinators badge.

Overall, it’s a more upright variety and medium-sized compared to some pyracanthas so it’s a suitable choice for compact gardens.

Height and Spread of Pyracantha Soleil d'Or
Pyracantha Golden Sun is a medium-sized upright spreading shrub that reaches 3-4 metres and spreads over 2.5 metres.

How Hardy Is Pyracantha Soleil d'Or
This is a very hardy shrub if its roots are well-drained. It tolerates sub-zero winters and drought once established. It copes well with pollution and exposed sites too.

How To Use Pyracantha Soleil d'Or
Pyracantha Golden Sun is often used as a deterrent due to its thorny spines. It creates a cost-effective impenetrable hedge and covers a fence line with thick defensive greenery to deter cats or intruders from your property.
It’s also a beautiful multicoloured bush throughout the year. In spring, masses of tiny white flowers attract pollinators and in winter its bright golden berries bring a hit of colour to dreary outdoor spaces until blackbirds eat them.
This is a tough, low maintenance evergreen that brings security, colour, and privacy to all types of outdoor spaces and welcomes in beneficial wildlife.

How To Care for Pyracantha Soleil d'Or
Pyracantha Golden Sun is easy to grow and requires barely any maintenance. It grows in exposed and sheltered locations but prefers full sun and will develop more berries in a sunny spot. That said, it is hardy and will grow strongly in partial shade too.
It tolerates all types of soil including sand and clay soil if it’s free draining enough to prevent its roots from rotting. 
Flowers are produced on last year’s growth, so prune it after the flowers have finished, aiming to keep the two-year-old wood and remove 20% of older wood. Be sure to wear thick gloves with arm protection as its thorns are very sharp.