[Tobar]

Hello, I planted a Pyracantha "Red Column" Hedge this Summer in my front garden in West Dublin, and have noticed recently that they haven't particularly taken off, the leaves have yellowed & there appears to be brownish spots on them.

This has only come to light, when I bought new ones for elsewhere in the garden, which have dark green glossy leaves, & look very healthy in comparison!

Anybody heard of this problem before? perhaps it's due to the time of year that's in it? (ie Winter).

Any suggestions would be a great help, as I've spent a considerable amount of money in putting in this Hedge, and am terrified that it's going to die on me!

[BlackBird]

Hello tobar. I see you made the choice of Pyracantha as an invader proof hedge.
Although Pyracantha "Red Column" are supposed to be evergreen, sometimes in their first winter after planting their leaves can yellow and shed before returning in spring.
The brown spots are a bit more worrying though. Are they on all the leaves.

Does any of this sound familiar....... the two most common complaints with Pyracantha

Fireblight
Black and scorched flowers and foliage which begin to die back quickly.

Pyracantha scab
Spots coloured dark green to black appear on leaves usually in early summer. leaves fall a short while after. Autumn fruits can appear scabby and split before falling off.

[Tobar]

I've heard of Fireblight, but, from your description, I don't think that this is what my problem is.

Pyracantha Scab, however, is a possibility. There have been no Fruits produced yet, and none of the Leaves have fallen off yet, but I definitely have the Spots!

If it is Pyracantha Scab, is there anything I can do to sort the problem?

[GPI]

If it is Pyracantha scab you can take the following action.....

. Collect the fallen leaves and fruit and bin them, do not compost them.

. Remove any leaves currently on the plant which are showing what is usually a greyish spotting them too.
NOTE: It would be best if you could post pics of the affected plants and closeups of the leaves and any fruits, so that we can be certain it is Pyracantha scab and not just a bit of shock affecting the plants.

. In the coming spring you can spray the leaves with a good fungicide every forthnight until the berries form.
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