Scarlet firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea
Scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Spectacular orange-red berries through winter. Brutal thorns make excellent barrier hedges.
On the CSU listlow to medium water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Pyracantha coccinea
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Lalandei', 'Mohave'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Hot south- or west-facing walls
Things to know before you plant
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1–2×/month during dry stretches.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Scarlet firethorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Scarlet firethorn is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Scarlet firethorn?
- The main things to know: It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas. It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Scarlet firethorn get?
- It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Scarlet firethorn?
- Space Scarlet firethorn about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Scarlet firethorn hardy on the Front Range?
- Scarlet firethorn is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Scarlet firethorn need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Scarlet firethorn grow?
- Scarlet firethorn is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Scarlet firethorn native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Scarlet firethorn deer-resistant?
- Scarlet firethorn is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Scarlet firethorn a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as an informal hedge. Scarlet firethorn works best as a relaxed hedge or screen kept to its natural form rather than sheared into a tight box.
