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Pyracantha coccinea 'Sparkler'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

firethorn 'Sparkler'

An upright, to spreading, slow-growing evergreen shrub to 2m (6½ft)m high and wide, with green and cream variegated leaves, often tinged with dark pink in colder weather. The branches are spiny and dense clusters of small, white flowers in late spring appear on the previous year's growth. These are followed by a profusion of bright orange-red berries in autumn.

Synonyms
Pyracantha coccinea 'Sparkler'
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green Cream
Summer Green Cream
Autumn Orange Red Green Cream
Winter Green Cream Pink
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus

Pyracantha are evergreen shrubs or small trees, with spiny branches bearing simple leaves and corymbs of small white flowers followed by showy red, orange or yellow berries

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Suitable for growing in any moderately fertile garden soil, in sun or partial shade, including very dry, free-draining soils, and heavy clays, as long as they are not prone to waterlogging See pyracantha cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, or by seed sown in spring, after three months of cold stratification, bearing in mind that cultivars won't usually come true from seed and seed raised plants can be of variable quality.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

Flowers are produced mainly on stems produced the previous year, so pruning should aim to retain as much two year old growth as possible. Prune out unwanted growth and on mature shrubs, twenty percent of older wood, after flowering has finished each year.

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, caterpillars, brown scale and leaf-mining moths

Diseases

May be susceptible to pyracantha scab, honey fungus and fireblight

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