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Pyracantha coccinea 'Lowboy'

Image of Pyracantha coccinea 'Lowboy'

James H. Schutte

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Pyracantha coccinea 'Lowboy'

Plant Common Name

Lowboy Firethorn, Scarlet Firethorn

General Description

The vigorous firethorn ‘Lowboy’ is distinguished by its broad low, spreading habit and profuse colorful fall fruits. Though low-growing, this is not a compact shrub. Its arching and spreading branches cover a lot of ground. This evergreen to semi-evergreen originates from southeastern Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus region.

The thorny stems of firethorn are densely covered with small, glossy, dark green leaves and turn shades of dark green and brown in fall and winter. In spring, it bears clusters of white, musty smelling flowers that are attractive to bees. The green fruits that follow resemble miniature apples and turn shades of vibrant orange late in the season. These persist into winter until they are eaten by birds.

Scarlet firethorn prefers full sun for best habit, flowering and fruiting. It is adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils and can be moderately drought tolerant once established. Pruning should be done in late winter to early spring but sparingly—unless plants are trained as espalier or bonsai specimens. It is versatile, low-maintenance and best planted as a specimen or grouped as a large groudcover.

Pyracantha are typically susceptible to a wide array of rosaceous diseases, such as blight and scab.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    3a, 3b, 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

    2'-5' / 0.6m - 1.5m (3)

  • Width

    3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m (6)

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring

  • Native To

    Southern Europe, Turkey, Western Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Orange

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green, Brown, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Brown, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Brown

  • 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

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No