Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column'
scarlet firethorn 'Red Column'
An upright, evergreen shrub with glossy eliptical leaves and spiny stems. Clusters of white flowers are produced in early summer followed by red berries lasting through autumn and into early winter.
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter | Green | Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- 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
Grow in a fairly fertile, moisture retentive but free draining soil in sun or partial shade. Suitable for training as a wall shrub.
Propagation
Propagate from semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings. Can be grown from seed but specific cultivars will show some differences from the parent plant.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
In spring, remove older fruited stems to allow younger stems to ripen and flower next 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.