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Pyracantha coccinea 'Rutgers'

Image of Pyracantha coccinea 'Rutgers'

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Pyracantha coccinea 'Rutgers'

Plant Common Name

Rutgers Firethon, Scarlet Firethorn

General Description

The abundant, colorful fruits of ‘Rutgers’ scarlet firethorn bring a lush, vibrant show to the autumn garden. This sprawling shrub with thorny, arching branches is descended from a species native to southern Europe and western Asia. It has small, glossy-green leaves that are evergreen and turn green-brown in fall and winter. In spring, this plant blooms with numerous clusters of white, musty-smelling flowers. They develop into clusters of large, bright- orange fruits that resemble tiny apples. The fruits persist into winter and are eaten by birds.

Grow ‘Rutgers’ in full sun for best performance. It tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils. It is versatile in use, being quite cold-hardy and resistant to both scab and fireblight. Plant it as informal hedge, train it as an espalier or bonsai specimen, grow it as a full, mounded specimen, or group it to sprawl across a hillside.

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, Partial Shade

  • Height

    3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m

  • Width

    8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m

  • 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, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Brown

  • 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, Hedges, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No