How to prune pyracantha angustifolia

Immediately after flowering (late spring–early summer); light tidy in late winter. After flowers fade, shorten the current season's new shoots back to 2–3 leaves to keep the plant compact while preserving developing berries on older wood. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing stems back to the base. For trained wall specimens or hedges, trim again lightly in midsummer if needed but stop before late summer to protect berry set.

Annually after flowering; additional light trim in midsummer for trained specimens. Pyracantha angustifolia (Narrowleaf Firethorn) flowers on previous year's wood and bears berries through autumn and winter. Prune immediately after flowering in late spring to avoid cutting off the berry-producing shoots. Light shaping can also be done in late winter, but heavy cuts then remove the year's flower buds. Wear gloves — thorns are sharp.

After flowers fade, shorten the current season's new shoots back to 2–3 leaves to keep the plant compact while preserving developing berries on older wood. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing stems back to the base. For trained wall specimens or hedges, trim again lightly in midsummer if needed but stop before late summer to protect berry set.