Scarlet Firethorn

The scarlet firethorn is a thorny shrub and not a climbing plant, but it can be espaliered on a façade. It is very ornamental with its white flowers and red berries. It may be planted as a bush to protect the base of a facade or wall against graffiti or it can be trained to an orderly shape with a trellis.

Latin: pyracantha coccinea

Firethorn "Orange Glow" with berry jewels

Requirements / Price

Scarlet Firethorn needs a sunny (full sun) location, or at least a position where it gets full daylight. Can live in full or semi-shade but then produces fewer or hardly any flowers and fruit. Needs nutrient-rich and moist soils with good water retention. Distance between two plants: 2.5 - 4 metres.

Two cultivars are not available at the moment.

"Orange Glow"
"Red Column"

Characteristics and Pruning

This is a rambler, seldom higher than 4 metres with hanging shoots, that is often grown as a formed/shaped tree. Thorny and evergreen. Has white flowers in June, and- depending not the cultivar-yellow, orange or red berries in winter which will be greatly appreciated by birds. Pruning in winter will promote branching. Firethorn is subject to fireblight. Firethorn seeds are slightly poisonous.

Climbing Aids on Facades

Rods, grids, or wire rope trellises with a large grid spacing to hold the trunk and bind shoots. Refer to the table of suitable trellis designs at the bottom of the page; choose one from the medium or easy range.