Pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet Firethorn)
Pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet Firethorn) is a thorny, semi-evergreen shrub of bushy habit with glossy, oval, dark green leaves. From late spring to early summer, a profusion of white flowers held in dense clusters cover the spiny branches and contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. They are followed by masses of brilliant berries that ripen to bright red-orange in fall and persist well into winter. Hungry birds feast on them.
Pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet Firethorn) is a thorny, semi-evergreen shrub of bushy habit with glossy, oval, dark green leaves. From late spring to early summer, a profusion of white flowers held in dense clusters cover the spiny branches and contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. They are followed by masses of brilliant berries that ripen to bright red-orange in fall and persist well into winter. Hungry birds feast on them. Evergreen in mild climates, Scarlet Firethorn is perfect for use as an impenetrable hedge or screen or massed to cover slopes. It can also be grown against a wall or fence.
- Grows up to 6-12 ft. tall and wide (180-360 cm).
- Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Some drought tolerance.
- Great as a specimen plant, shrub borders, foundation plantings, barrier hedges, wall-side borders, and cottage gardens.
- Watch for scab, fireblight and leaf blight.
- Native to southeastern Europe, the Himalayas, and central China.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 6 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 6 – 9 |
| Climate Zones | 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Pyracantha – Firethorns |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
| Height | 6' – 12' (180cm – 3.6m) |
| Spread | 6' – 12' (180cm – 3.6m) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
| Tolerance | Clay Soil, Drought |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |