1 / 5Key characteristics
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height
- 6 to 18 feet
- Width
- 6 to 18 feet
- Flower color
- White
- Foliage color
- Glossy green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; responds well to pruning for shaping or hedges
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees; orange-red berries are showy and a food source for birds
Shrubs
Pyracantha coccinea
Scarlet Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea, commonly known as scarlet firethorn, is a semi-evergreen shrub known for its profusion of small, white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. These flowers are followed by clusters of vibrant orange to red berries in the fall, which persist into winter, providing seasonal interest and serving as a valuable food source for birds.
Native to southern Europe and western Asia, Pyracantha coccinea is prized for its versatility and adaptability in a variety of landscapes.
Works well in
- Sun Gardens
- Hedging & Privacy
- Pollinator Gardens
- Bird Gardens
Companion plants
Irises · Peruvian lily · Aster · Pampas grass · Stonecrop · Fothergilla
Design tip
Scarlet firethorn really shines in fall and winter, when heavy clusters of orange-red berries brighten the garden after many other plants have faded. Its glossy green foliage provides a rich backdrop for the berries, while white flowers bring a fresh burst of color in late spring.
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Blooms white blooms with a greenish-yellow blotch in the throat (buds often pale pink)
Part shade
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Madame Lemoine Lilac
Blooms pure white, double, very fragrant flower clusters
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Rhododendron occidentale
Western Azalea
Blooms white to pink or pale rose blooms often with a yellow or orange blotch
Full sun to part shade
Fatsia japonica 'Murakumo Nishiki'
Murakumo Nishiki Japanese Aralia
Blooms small, creamy white flowers in rounded clusters
Partial shade to full shade