Bright red berries are the main feature of pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea).
Karen Russ, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Quick Guide to Growing Pyracantha coccinea
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 9
Best Soil: Well-drained soil
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade
Watering: Heat and drought-tolerant once established
Care Tips: Pyracantha resents transplanting.
Blooming: Flowers appear in spring; they are small, white, and have an unpleasant smell. Pruning too late in the season may remove next year’s flowers.
Pyracantha Species Overview
Pyracantha, also called firethorn, is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). There are three popular species of pyracantha in the Southeastern United States: scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea), Chinese firethorn (P. fortuneana, P. atalantioides, or P. crenastiserrata), and Formosa firethorn (P. koidzumii). Pyracantha is native to southern Europe and as far east as China.
They vary mostly in berry size and color, but all species of pyracantha have spines. It should be emphasized that pyracantha is no longer commonly used in South Carolina landscapes.
Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
The USDA Cold Hardiness Zones for scarlet firethorn (P. coccinea) include USDA Planting Zones 6 to 9. Zone 5 is a possible hardiness zone if a hardy cultivar is used.
Formosa Firethorn (Pyracantha koidzumii)
Formosa firethorn (P. koidzumii) grows in hardiness zones 8 to 10.
Generally, pyracantha does not have issues with cold hardiness. Scarlet firethorn is more cold-hardy than Formosa.
Pyracantha Growth Habits: Mature Height, Spread, and Features
Pyracantha species are broadleaf, evergreen to semi-evergreen, spiny shrubs that grow 10 to 15 feet high and 10 feet wide. All species have glossy green leaves, which are ½ to 1 inch wide and 1 to 4 inches long. They bear flowers and fruit on spurs along the wood of last year’s growth. Flowers appear in spring: they are small, white, and have an unpleasant smell. The scarlet firethorn (P. coccinea) is by far the most popular firethorn species in the Southeastern United States. Scarlet firethorn (P. coccinea), Chinese firethorn (P. fortuneana, P. atalantioides, or P. crenatoserrata) and Formosa firethorn (P. koidzumii) bloom in late spring to early summer.
The berries are the main reason for the shrub’s popularity. In the fall, they appear in thick clusters and range from orange to red in color, depending on the species and cultivar. The berries can last until late winter, making them a popular food source for birds when other food sources are limited.
In the spring, scarlet firethorn has small, white flowers that bloom on old wood.
Robert Polomski, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The small, white flowers of the scarlet firethorn have an unpleasant smell.
Robert Polomski, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pyracantha Growth Rate and Landscape Use
Growth Rate
Pyracantha grows very fast, sometimes more than 2 feet a year.
Landscape Applications and Design Ideas
Pyracantha can be a barrier or cover for slopes in hot, dry areas. Dwarf pyracantha cultivars grow well in containers. Planting around the foundation of single-story buildings is not recommended because it grows too large and fast. Pyracanthas can be used as informal screens or barriers or as an espalier on trellises and walls; the picture below is an example of an espalier as it is used to grow flat against a support such as a trellis.
A scarlet firethorn is displayed as an espalier on a framework of stakes/trellises.
Robert Polomski, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Growing Pyracantha: Ideal Soil, Sun, and Watering Conditions
Soil Preferences
Pyracantha prefers well-drained soil.
Sunlight Requirements
Pyracantha prefers full sun to partial shade.
Watering Needs
Even though pyracantha is resistant to heat and drought, mulching around the shrub is a good practice to reduce stress from dry weather.
Planting and Pruning Pyracantha for Health and Flower Production
When to Plant Pyracantha
It is best to plant pyracantha shrubs in the spring. When a dwarf pyracantha cultivar is grown in a container, it can be planted at any time of the year in South Carolina. If berry color is vital, buy the plants when they have fruit. Pyracantha resents transplanting; therefore, once it is planted, leave it alone.
When to Prune Pyracantha
Pruning is recommended in late winter and early spring. Pyracantha can be selectively pruned to leave enough flowers for berries in the fall.
Avoiding Late Pruning
It is not advisable to prune pyracantha in late summer or early fall, as flowers and berries are produced on wood for the following year. Pruning then would reduce the flower and berry production, plus any new growth stimulated by late pruning could be cold-damaged. Flowers and berries are produced only on at least one-year-old growth. Always leave some of the growth made each year to have flowers and berries.
Pruning is typically relegated to keeping it in bounds and removing any wayward branches. It is essential to dislodge old, withered, or rotted berries with a broom at the end of winter.
Other Pruning Tips
It is essential to wear gloves due to possible allergic reactions to the spines.
Common Problems: Fire Blight, Scab, and Pests
Fire Blight
Fire blight, a bacterial disease, can kill the plant.
Scab
Scab, a fungal disease, causes defoliation and turns fruit a dark, sooty color.
Fire Blight and Scab Prevention
To minimize problems, choose fire blight- and scab-resistant selections such as ‘Apache,’ ‘Fiery Cascade,’ ‘Mohave,’ ‘Navaho,’ ‘Pueblo,’ ‘Rutgers,’ ‘Shawnee,’ and ‘Teton.’
Pests
Insect pests include aphids, scales, spider mites, and lace bugs.
Lace Bug Prevention
Lace bug-resistant selections include ‘Variegata’ and ‘Aurea.’
Recommended Pyracantha Cultivars and Hybrids
Hybrids of pyracanthas include some of the most desirable firethorns.
- ‘Apache’ grows to 5 feet high and 6 feet wide and has large, bright red berries that last well into winter. This selection is resistant to fire blight and scab.
- ‘Chadwickii ‘is known for producing many orange-red fruits and can grow up to 6 feet tall.
- ‘Dart’s Red’ can grow 6-10 feet tall and have showy, bright red berries.
- ‘Fiery Cascade’ grows to 8 feet tall and 9 feet wide, has orange berries that turn red during the winter and has good disease resistance.
- ‘Gold Rush’ grows up to 6 feet tall and spreads 6 to 10 feet. The fruit is showy and has clusters of small, yellow berries.
- ‘Golden Dome’ can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has clusters of small golden, orange-yellow berries.
- ‘Gnome’ is very cold and hardy and grows 6 feet high and 8 feet wide. The berries are orange. This selection is very susceptible to scab.
- ‘Harlequin’ is a cultivar of Pyracantha coccinea that grows up to 8 feet and has clusters of small, reddish-orange berries.
- ‘Landelei’ has small, red-orange berries that can grow up to 10 feet tall.
- ‘Little Gnome’
- ‘Lowboy’ is a spreading plant that reaches only 2 to 3 feet. The berries are orange, and this selection is also prone to scab.
- ‘Lowdense’ is a dwarf cultivar of Pyrancantha koidzumii that has a dense amount of berries.
- ‘Mohave’ grows to 12 feet tall and wide and has many big orange-red berries, which last well into winter. This selection is resistant to fire blight and scab.
- ‘Navaho’ has bright red-orange berries. It prefers well-drained soil in the sun. It has a good scab and fire blight resistance.
- ‘Orange Charmer’ grows up to 8 feet and has small, bright orange berries.
- ‘Orange Glow’ grows up to 8 feet. It has showy and small, bright orange berries.
- ‘Red Column’ has small, red berries and grows up to 7 feet tall. It has small evergreen leaves.
- ‘Red Cushion’ is a small evergreen shrub that grows 4 feet high and 3-5 feet wide. It has spiny branches, dark green leaves, and small white flowers blooming in late spring.
- ‘Red Elf’ grows up to 2 feet tall and two feet wide. The fruit color is white, showy, and fragrant.
- ‘Ruby Mound’ is a dwarf pyracantha cultivar that grows 4 to 5 feet tall. It has red fruits and has a mounding habit.
- ‘Rutgers’ grows to 2 to 3 feet tall and spreads 4 to 5 feet. The berries grow in clusters of small orange and red berries.
- ‘Santa Cruz’ has spiny branches with simple leaves and small white flowers. The berries are showy red, orange, or yellow.
- ‘Saphyr Orange’ has small, evergreen leaves and can grow up to 10 feet tall. It has bright orange berries.
- ‘Sappho Orange’ grows up to 8 feet and has small, bright orange-red berries.
- ‘Sappho Red’ has small, bright red berries in the fall and can grow up to 8 feet.
- ‘Sappho Yellow’ grows up to 8 feet and has clusters of small, golden-yellow berries.
- ‘Shawnee’ has showy white flowers that bloom in the early spring to summer and has small golden-yellow berries that fruit in the fall.
- ‘Silver Lining’ is also known as the Cadvar cultivar, which has variegated leaves and shows different colors. These variegated leaves are silver and white and can turn bronze pink in the fall.
- ‘Soleil d’Or’ grows up to 10 feet and has clusters of small, golden-yellow berries.
- ‘Sparkler’ has variegated evergreen leaves and can grow up to 8 feet. It has a cluster of small, reddish-orange berries.
- ‘Teton’ is cold and hardy and grows 12 feet high and 4 feet wide. The berries are golden yellow. This selection is also resistant to fire blight and scab.
- ‘Tiny Tim’ is a compact plant that grows up to 3 feet high with small leaves and few or no thorns. The berries are red.
- ‘UNCC Dwarf’ has small and show orange-reddish berries and grows up to 4 feet tall.
- ‘Victory’ has orange-red berries that mature in autumn. The berries persist through winter.
- ‘Watereri’ has showy white flowers and can grow up to 8 feet.
- ‘Yukon Belle’ is hardy and grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. It is known for its bright orange berries in the winter.
References
- Brand, M. (2015). Pyracantha coccinea scarlet firethorn. University of Connecticut.
- Breen, P. (2015). Pyracantha. Oregon State University.
- Dirr, Michael A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses. Stipes Pub LLC
- North Carolina Botanical Garden. (May 22, 2024) North Carolina Extension. (n.d.) Pyracantha koidzumi North Carolina Extension. (n.d.) Pyracantha coccinea
- Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.) Pyracantha koidzumii ‘Santa Cruz’
- Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.) Pyracantha coccinea Red Cushion
- Serviss, B.E., Hardage, J.W., Serviss, K.B., & Peck, J.H. (2018). Pyracantha (Rosaceae) in the Arkansas flora. Phytoneuron. 6, 1-8.
- The National Gardening Association. (2024). Pyracantha Silver Lining
- The National Garden Association (2024). Firethorn (Pyracantha ‘Red Elf’)
- The National Garden Association. (2025). Pyracantha. https://garden.org/plants/browse/plants/genus/Pyracantha/
- The National Garden Association (2024). Scarlet firethorn. (Pyracantha coccinea ‘Rutgers’). https://garden.org/plants/view/78612/Scarlet-Firethorn-Pyracantha-coccinea-Rutgers/
- The National Garden Association (2024). Firethorn pyracantha ‘Gold Rush’. https://garden.org/plants/view/130610/Firethorn-Pyracantha-Gold-Rush/
- The University of Connecticut Plant Database. Pyracantha coccinea https://plantdatabase.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=372
Originally published 05/99
