Cool. I don't think I can offer anymore than whats already been said by some experienced people here.
I am a fan of pyracantha too. I've one which was an air layer of a parent tree, 5 years ago. I am growing and developing it slowly. it is due to have its second trunk segment chopped off .. any day now. Its not exactly how I wanted it, I should have wired sooner and got better movement but it'll be interesting in 10 years or something.
Your zone is similar to mine, pyra grow well. Back bud well. Everywhere...
Bushy boy, Winter:
DSC_2875 by
Conor Dashwood, on Flickr
Down to:
DSC_2883 by
Conor Dashwood, on Flickr
Response:
DSC_3013 by
Conor Dashwood, on Flickr
Luxury problems:
DSC_3018 by
Conor Dashwood, on Flickr
DSC_3021 by
Conor Dashwood, on Flickr
And another one, one of the twisted root types, that you might see around.
DSC_1845 by
Conor Dashwood, on Flickr
This one is quite weak in my opinion, has been left to grow a bit more this season, will have some maintenance pruning done soon, let grow for rest of the year. See how it responds next year and I might prune back properly. As long as I can determine it is healthy and strong, it will respond well.