Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

Pyracantha 'Apache'

Image of Pyracantha 'Apache'

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Pyracantha 'Apache'

Plant Common Name

Apache Firethorn, Firethorn

General Description

This drought-tolerant hybrid, 'Apache,' is a thorny, evergreen shrub with a mounding, compact habit. When fully grown it is roughly one-third the size of standard firethorns. This fine selection was hybridized by 1970s by Donald Egolf of the U.S. National Arboretum. 'Apache' was selected and released for sale in the late 1980s. In addition to beauty, it possesses excellent resistance to fireblight and fungal scab diseases.

The semi-evergreen foliage of this firethorn is fine, glossy and dark-green. In winter and fall it turns brown-green. During very cold winters the leaves may fall off entirely. In spring, it bears many, showy clusters of small, white, musty-smelling flowers that develop into glossy bright red fruits that resemble miniature apples. These persist to late winter and usually are not eaten by birds until no other food sources are available.

Grow the firethorn in full sun and almost any well-drained soil, although slightly acid loams are best. It is versatile in the landscape and may be planted as an informal hedge, a specimen in a shrub border or trained as an espalier or bonsai specimen.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    10 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    5'-6' / 1.5m - 1.8m

  • Width

    6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No