Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)

Pictures

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  Appearance

  The Scarlet Firethorn is an expansive evergreen flowering bush which grows to 3m in height. Often forms an impenetrable hedge. The white panicles from May onwards are of particular ornamental value. The pretty scarlet-red fruits persist well into winter.

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  Spring

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  Leaves

  Short-stalked, elliptical to oblanceolate leaves, alternate, in two rows, with rounded to wedge-shaped base and notched, serrated edge. Glossy dark green above, pale green below. 2-4cm long and 0.7-2cm wide, leaf stem 0.2-5cm long. Leathery surface.

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  Leaf upperside

  Short-stalked, elliptical to oblanceolate leaves, alternate, in two rows, with rounded to wedge-shaped base and notched, serrated edge. Glossy dark green above, pale green below. 2-4cm long and 0.7-2cm wide, leaf stem 0.2-5cm long. Leathery surface.

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  Leaf underside

  Short-stalked, elliptical to oblanceolate leaves, alternate, in two rows, with rounded to wedge-shaped base and notched, serrated edge. Glossy dark green above, pale green below. 2-4cm long and 0.7-2cm wide, leaf stem 0.2-5cm long. Leathery surface.

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  Flowers

  Flowering period V-VI. White blossoms with 5 petals each, approx. 0.8cm wide. The panicles are 3-4cm wide and of particular ornamental value.

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  Fruits

  Bright yellow apple fruit, rounded form, 0.5-0.6cm in diameter. The pretty and abundant fruits persist until well into the winter.

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  Bark

  Thorns on the trunk and branches are typical of the firethorn.

Application

Flowering bush, forms impenetrable hedges, orchards, for planting in groups, forage for birds

Native regions

Southern Europe, Western Asia

Location parameters

Light: sunny to semi-shady; soil type: sandy-loamy to loamy-clayey; nutrient concentration: normal to high; pH value of the soil: slightly acid to alkaline; soil: dry to fresh.

Demands

Does not tolerate dry air; frost-hardy, not fume-hardy; tolerates urban climates; also suitable for raw and mature soil. Light: sun to half-shade.

Growth

1.5 - 2m high, 1-1.5m in diameter

Leaves

Short-stalked, elliptical to oblanceolate leaves, alternate, in two rows, with rounded to wedge-shaped base and notched, serrated edge. Glossy dark green above, pale green below. 2-4cm long and 0.7-2cm wide, leaf stem 0.2-5cm long. Leathery surface.

Flowers

Flowering period V-VI. White blossoms with 5 petals each, approx. 0.8cm wide. The panicles are 3-4cm wide and of particular ornamental value.

Fruits

Bright yellow apple fruit, rounded form, 0.5-0.6cm in diameter. The pretty and abundant fruits persist until well into the winter.

Bark

Thorns on the trunk and branches are typical of the firethorn.

Roots

Deep-rooting; strong, moderately branched, very expansive.

• Pests and diseases of this tree/shrub