Scarlet Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea
- Native to:
- Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Pyracantha
- Species:
- Pyracantha coccinea
- USDA Symbol:
- PYCO2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
leaf crumpler moth (Acrobasis indigenella), oak lantern (Carcina quercana), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and crown after fire or severe pruning.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, fertile, loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to regions with varied soil types but prefers well-drained conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification and germination can be erratic. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI