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.
low to medium water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Pyracantha coccinea
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Lalandei', 'Mohave'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- 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
- Good for
- south wall
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1–2×/month during dry stretches.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Scarlet firethorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Scarlet firethorn is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Scarlet firethorn get?
- It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How much water does Scarlet firethorn need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Scarlet firethorn native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
