PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 9

Pyracantha coccinea - Scarlet Firethorn

Plant Viewer
Firethorn is a quick growing shrub that can become loose and wild looking if not kept trimmed. The leaf is elliptic and a glossy dark green.
Corymbs of small white flowers appear in the spring. Image: Wikipedia The most showy element is the clusters of bright orange (sometimes red) berries that form in the fall.

Plant Description

Pyracantha coccinea, or Scarlet Firethorn, is a semi-evergreen medium to large shrub, growing 6-18 feet high and wide. It is vigorous in growth and can have an open and wild look to it. It is easily pruned, but will need it often or it becomes unkempt looking. They are a popular plant to use for espaliers and other formal pruning patterns. It prefers full sun and is adaptable to a wide variety of soil conditions.

The leaf is elliptic to lanceolate in shape and 1 - 2 1/2 inches long on new growth, and only 1 1/2 inches long on old growth. The leaves are a glossy dark green color on top and a dull green below and pubescent. Sharp thorns form at the axillary buds on the stem.

Small white flowers (1/3 inch diameter) appear on 2-3 inch wide corymbs in the spring. The flowers have a faint odor. The flowers are very showy, but they only bloom on last years growth. Showy pome fruit are bright orange, round in shape and 1/4 inch in diameter. They turn color and ripen in fall and persist through the winter.

Landscape Use

Use as an ornamental plant for its showy flowers and fruit. It can be used as a security planting thanks to its thorns, but should be avoided next to walks, drives or patios. Popularly used as a formal plant, being pruned into any number for forms and shapes. It is also suitable to be used in mass plantings or in shrub borders.

Points of Interest

The fruit is extremely attractive to birds, but it appears to have some sort of mild drug effect on them as birds that have eaten the fruit have been observed to fly irregularly, fortunately the effects are temporary.

Fireblight and scab are the two most damaging diseases. Scab is especially problematic, causing the bright fruits to turn an unattractive blackish color.

Notable Cultivars

Lalandei One of the cold-hardiest varieties, it is hardy to zone 5. It grows 10-15 feet high and wide.