Shrub
Pyracantha
Pyracantha coccinea · Rosaceae
Also called: Firethorn, Scarlet Firethorn
Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) is a low-water shrub well suited to Tucson and the low desert.
Pyracantha at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun for the heaviest flowering and berry set; tolerates part shade with fewer berries. Handles Tucson sun and reflected heat well once established.
- Mature size
- 6-12 ft tall and wide as a free-standing shrub; very flexible - can be espaliered flat, sheared as a barrier hedge, or kept lower with pruning.
- Growth rate
- Fast.
- Bloom
- Clusters of small white flowers, followed by showy orange-to-red (or scarlet) berries., Flowers in spring; bright berries develop in fall and persist into winter.
- Cold hardiness
- Cold-hardy well below Tucson winter lows and heat tolerant, so it is reliable in USDA 9a-9b; no special frost protection needed.
- Soil
- Adaptable to most Tucson soils including alkaline and rocky; needs decent drainage. More soil-tolerant than its relatives photinia and roses.
- Native range
- Southern Europe to western Asia; not native to Arizona
- Best used as
- Impenetrable barrier/security hedge (thorny), Espalier against walls and fences, Wildlife/bird habitat for berries, Fall-winter berry color accent
- Wildlife
- Excellent for birds, which feed on the berries; flowers attract bees. The thorny structure provides protective nesting cover.
- Toxicity
- Berries are only mildly toxic/low risk if eaten in quantity (the seeds carry trace cyanogenic compounds); the real hazard is the sharp thorns. Generally considered low-toxicity to pets and people, but the thorns are a serious safety concern around children.
How to grow Pyracantha in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Drought tolerant once established; deep water about every 7-14 days in summer and monthly in winter. Tolerant of lean conditions but berries/growth improve with regular irrigation.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Low needs; a light spring application of balanced fertilizer is sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes soft growth and reduces flowering/fruiting and invites fire blight.
Pruning & care
Prune after flowering to shape and to expose berries; remove crossing/dead wood. Wear heavy gloves and eye protection - the long, sharp thorns cause painful puncture wounds. Prune sparingly to preserve berries.
Notes
A tough, low-water, heat-tolerant shrub well suited to Tucson, valued for fall/winter berries and as a security barrier. Watch for fire blight (a bacterial disease in the rose family) and aphids; prune out blighted wood and disinfect tools. Thorns make placement near walkways/play areas a key consideration.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension / Pima County Master Gardeners; AMWUA low-water-use plant list; Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; Desert-Tropicals plant database