I’m relatively new to grafting and fruit tree growing, and I wanted to bounce some ideas off of you guys because this is driving me nuts. If I have a pyracantha rootstock and I grafted pear onto it could I use the pear as an interstem and graft on winter bannana then from there other apple varieties? I believe pyracantha has compatibility with loquats as well so you could have pears, loquats, and apples all on one rootstock!
3 Likes
Firethorn is unique and no interstem is needed with what you have in mind. It is very easy to propagate also. Some articles say it is compatible with everything. I think that is bold but see the bonsai article and you will question like I do if anything in that article is true.
“A Comprehensive Guide to Pyracantha Grafting (Master Grafting Techniques to Create a Unique Orchard)
<|begin_of_box|>摘要：As gardening enthusiasts, we all hope to create a unique orchard. Grafting technology allows us more flexibility in choosing fruit tree varieties. This article will introduce in detail the main tree species that can be grafted with firethorn, helping you create a different orchard.
As gardening enthusiasts, we all hope to create a unique orchard. Grafting technology allows us more flexibility in choosing fruit tree varieties. This article will introduce in detail the main tree species that can be grafted with firethorn, helping you create a different orchard.
Firethorn Introduction
Firethorn is a common fruit tree whose fruits taste sweet and sour, with high edible value. Moreover, firethorn also has high medicinal value and is often used to make traditional Chinese medicine.
Firethorn Grafting Technology Introduction
Grafting is a common method for propagating fruit trees, achieved by attaching branches from one tree to the trunk of another to reproduce new trees. Firethorn grafting technology is no exception; it can be grafted onto various tree species.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Apple Trees
Apples are very common fruits with delicious and nutritious fruits. Apple trees are also one of the tree species that firethorn can be grafted onto.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Cherry Trees
Cherries are very popular fruits with juicy, fleshy fruits and unique flavors. If firethorn is grafted onto cherry trees, it can increase the diversity of the orchard.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Apricot Trees
Apricots are common fruit trees with sweet and sour, delicious fruits and high nutritional value. If firethorn is grafted onto apricot trees, it not only increases the variety diversity of the orchard but also enriches the edible varieties in the orchard.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Persimmon Trees
Persimmons are unique fruit trees with juicy, fleshy fruits, sweet taste, and rich nutritional value. Grafting firethorn onto persimmon trees adds new textures and flavors to the existing persimmon varieties.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Pear Trees
Pears are very popular fruits with crisp, juicy fruits and unique flavors. Grafting firethorn onto pear trees increases the diversity of the orchard, making it richer.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Jujube Trees
Jujubes are nutrient-rich fruits with high medicinal value in their fruits. Grafting firethorn onto jujube trees adds new tastes and flavors to the jujube varieties.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Peach Trees
Peaches are common fruit trees with delicious and nutritious fruits. Grafting firethorn onto peach trees not only increases the variety diversity of the orchard but also enriches the edible varieties in the orchard.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Olive Trees
Olives are common fruit trees with nutritious fruits and high medicinal value. Grafting firethorn onto olive trees adds new textures and flavors to the olive varieties.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Pomelo Trees
Pomelos are fruits with relatively high nutritional value, with unique tastes and sweet-sour flavors. Grafting firethorn onto pomelo trees adds new tastes and flavors to the pomelo varieties.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Orange Trees
Oranges are very popular fruits with delicious, juicy, and fleshy fruits. Grafting firethorn onto orange trees increases the variety diversity of the orchard, making it richer.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Grapevines
Grapes are common fruits with juicy, fleshy fruits and unique tastes. Grafting firethorn onto grapevines adds new textures and flavors to the grape varieties.
Firethorn Can Be Grafted Onto Pomegranate Trees
Pomegranates are very popular fruits with delicious fruits and high medicinal value. Grafting firethorn onto pomegranate trees adds new tastes and flavors to the pomegranate varieties.
Through this article’s introduction, we can learn about the main tree species that firethorn can be grafted onto. Grafting these tree species can enrich the variety diversity of the orchard, increase the edible varieties in the orchard, and provide more flexibility in fruit tree planting.”
A cousin to coton easter
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Pyracantha (Firethorn) Care Guide: Growing, Pruning, and Landscape Uses
Factsheet | HGIC 1072 | Revised: May 6, 2025 | [Print](javascript:window.print())
Bright red berries are the main feature of pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea).
Karen Russ, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Quick Guide to Growing Pyracantha coccinea
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Best Soil: Well-drained soil
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade
Watering: Heat and drought-tolerant once established
Care Tips: Pyracantha resents transplanting.
Blooming: Flowers appear in spring; they are small, white, and have an unpleasant smell. Pruning too late in the season may remove next year’s flowers.
Pyracantha Species Overview
Pyracantha, also called firethorn, is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). There are three popular species of pyracantha in the Southeastern United States: scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea), Chinese firethorn (P. fortuneana, P. atalantioides, or P. crenastiserrata), and Formosa firethorn (P. koidzumii). Pyracantha is native to southern Europe and as far east as China.
They vary mostly in berry size and color, but all species of pyracantha have spines. It should be emphasized that pyracantha is no longer commonly used in South Carolina landscapes.
Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
The USDA Cold Hardiness Zones for scarlet firethorn (P. coccinea) include USDA Planting Zones 6 to 9. Zone 5 is a possible hardiness zone if a hardy cultivar is used.
Formosa Firethorn (Pyracantha koidzumii)
Formosa firethorn (P. koidzumii) grows in hardiness zones 8 to 10.
Generally, pyracantha does not have issues with cold hardiness. Scarlet firethorn is more cold-hardy than Formosa.
Pyracantha Growth Habits: Mature Height, Spread, and Features
Pyracantha species are broadleaf, evergreen to semi-evergreen, spiny shrubs that grow 10 to 15 feet high and 10 feet wide. All species have glossy green leaves, which are ½ to 1 inch wide and 1 to 4 inches long. They bear flowers and fruit on spurs along the wood of last year’s growth. Flowers appear in spring: they are small, white, and have an unpleasant smell. The scarlet firethorn (P. coccinea) is by far the most popular firethorn species in the Southeastern United States. Scarlet firethorn (P. coccinea), Chinese firethorn (P. fortuneana, P. atalantioides, or P. crenatoserrata) and Formosa firethorn (P. koidzumii) bloom in late spring to early summer.
The berries are the main reason for the shrub’s popularity. In the fall, they appear in thick clusters and range from orange to red in color, depending on the species and cultivar. The berries can last until late winter, making them a popular food source for birds when other food sources are limited.
In the spring, scarlet firethorn has small, white flowers that bloom on old wood.
Robert Polomski, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The small, white flowers of the scarlet firethorn have an unpleasant smell.
Robert Polomski, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pyracantha Growth Rate and Landscape Use
Growth Rate
Pyracantha grows very fast, sometimes more than 2 feet a year.
Landscape Applications and Design Ideas
Pyracantha can be a barrier or cover for slopes in hot, dry areas. Dwarf pyracantha cultivars grow well in containers. Planting around the foundation of single-story buildings is not recommended because it grows too large and fast. Pyracanthas can be used as informal screens or barriers or as an espalier on trellises and walls; the picture below is an example of an espalier as it is used to grow flat against a support such as a trellis.
A scarlet firethorn is displayed as an espalier on a framework of stakes/trellises.
Robert Polomski, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Growing Pyracantha: Ideal Soil, Sun, and Watering Conditions
Soil Preferences
Pyracantha prefers well-drained soil.
Sunlight Requirements
Pyracantha prefers full sun to partial shade.
Watering Needs
Even though pyracantha is resistant to heat and drought, mulching around the shrub is a good practice to reduce stress from dry weather.
Planting and Pruning Pyracantha for Health and Flower Production
When to Plant Pyracantha
It is best to plant pyracantha shrubs in the spring. When a dwarf pyracantha cultivar is grown in a container, it can be planted at any time of the year in South Carolina. If berry color is vital, buy the plants when they have fruit. Pyracantha resents transplanting; therefore, once it is planted, leave it alone.
When to Prune Pyracantha
Pruning is recommended in late winter and early spring. Pyracantha can be selectively pruned to leave enough flowers for berries in the fall.
Avoiding Late Pruning
It is not advisable to prune pyracantha in late summer or early fall, as flowers and berries are produced on wood for the following year. Pruning then would reduce the flower and berry production, plus any new growth stimulated by late pruning could be cold-damaged. Flowers and berries are produced only on at least one-year-old growth. Always leave some of the growth made each year to have flowers and berries.
Pruning is typically relegated to keeping it in bounds and removing any wayward branches. It is essential to dislodge old, withered, or rotted berries with a broom at the end of winter.
Other Pruning Tips
It is essential to wear gloves due to possible allergic reactions to the spines.
Common Problems: Fire Blight, Scab, and Pests
Fire Blight
Fire blight, a bacterial disease, can kill the plant.
Scab
Scab, a fungal disease, causes defoliation and turns fruit a dark, sooty color.
Fire Blight and Scab Prevention
To minimize problems, choose fire blight- and scab-resistant selections such as ‘Apache,’ ‘Fiery Cascade,’ ‘Mohave,’ ‘Navaho,’ ‘Pueblo,’ ‘Rutgers,’ ‘Shawnee,’ and ‘Teton.’
Pests
Insect pests include aphids, scales, spider mites, and lace bugs.
Lace Bug Prevention
Lace bug-resistant selections include ‘Variegata’ and ‘Aurea.’
Recommended Pyracantha Cultivars and Hybrids
Hybrids of pyracanthas include some of the most desirable firethorns.
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‘Apache’ grows to 5 feet high and 6 feet wide and has large, bright red berries that last well into winter. This selection is resistant to fire blight and scab.
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‘Chadwickii ‘is known for producing many orange-red fruits and can grow up to 6 feet tall.
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‘Dart’s Red’ can grow 6-10 feet tall and have showy, bright red berries.
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‘Fiery Cascade’ grows to 8 feet tall and 9 feet wide, has orange berries that turn red during the winter and has good disease resistance.
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‘Gold Rush’ grows up to 6 feet tall and spreads 6 to 10 feet. The fruit is showy and has clusters of small, yellow berries.
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‘Golden Dome’ can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has clusters of small golden, orange-yellow berries.
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‘Gnome’ is very cold and hardy and grows 6 feet high and 8 feet wide. The berries are orange. This selection is very susceptible to scab.
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‘Harlequin’ is a cultivar of Pyracantha coccinea that grows up to 8 feet and has clusters of small, reddish-orange berries.
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‘Landelei’ has small, red-orange berries that can grow up to 10 feet tall.
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‘Little Gnome’
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‘Lowboy’ is a spreading plant that reaches only 2 to 3 feet. The berries are orange, and this selection is also prone to scab.
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‘Lowdense’ is a dwarf cultivar of Pyrancantha koidzumii that has a dense amount of berries.
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‘Mohave’ grows to 12 feet tall and wide and has many big orange-red berries, which last well into winter. This selection is resistant to fire blight and scab.
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‘Navaho’ has bright red-orange berries. It prefers well-drained soil in the sun. It has a good scab and fire blight resistance.
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‘Orange Charmer’ grows up to 8 feet and has small, bright orange berries.
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‘Orange Glow’ grows up to 8 feet. It has showy and small, bright orange berries.
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‘Red Column’ has small, red berries and grows up to 7 feet tall. It has small evergreen leaves.
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‘Red Cushion’ is a small evergreen shrub that grows 4 feet high and 3-5 feet wide. It has spiny branches, dark green leaves, and small white flowers blooming in late spring.
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‘Red Elf’ grows up to 2 feet tall and two feet wide. The fruit color is white, showy, and fragrant.
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‘Ruby Mound’ is a dwarf pyracantha cultivar that grows 4 to 5 feet tall. It has red fruits and has a mounding habit.
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‘Rutgers’ grows to 2 to 3 feet tall and spreads 4 to 5 feet. The berries grow in clusters of small orange and red berries.
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‘Santa Cruz’ has spiny branches with simple leaves and small white flowers. The berries are showy red, orange, or yellow.
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‘Saphyr Orange’ has small, evergreen leaves and can grow up to 10 feet tall. It has bright orange berries.
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‘Sappho Orange’ grows up to 8 feet and has small, bright orange-red berries.
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‘Sappho Red’ has small, bright red berries in the fall and can grow up to 8 feet.
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‘Sappho Yellow’ grows up to 8 feet and has clusters of small, golden-yellow berries.
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‘Shawnee’ has showy white flowers that bloom in the early spring to summer and has small golden-yellow berries that fruit in the fall.
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‘Silver Lining’ is also known as the Cadvar cultivar, which has variegated leaves and shows different colors. These variegated leaves are silver and white and can turn bronze pink in the fall.
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‘Soleil d’Or’ grows up to 10 feet and has clusters of small, golden-yellow berries.
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‘Sparkler’ has variegated evergreen leaves and can grow up to 8 feet. It has a cluster of small, reddish-orange berries.
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‘Teton’ is cold and hardy and grows 12 feet high and 4 feet wide. The berries are golden yellow. This selection is also resistant to fire blight and scab.
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‘Tiny Tim’ is a compact plant that grows up to 3 feet high with small leaves and few or no thorns. The berries are red.
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‘UNCC Dwarf’ has small and show orange-reddish berries and grows up to 4 feet tall.
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‘Victory’ has orange-red berries that mature in autumn. The berries persist through winter.
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‘Watereri’ has showy white flowers and can grow up to 8 feet.
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‘Yukon Belle’ is hardy and grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. It is known for its bright orange berries in the winter.
References
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Brand, M. (2015). Pyracantha coccinea scarlet firethorn. University of Connecticut.
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Dirr, Michael A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses. Stipes Pub LLC
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North Carolina Botanical Garden. (May 22, 2024) North Carolina Extension. (n.d.) Pyracantha koidzumi North Carolina Extension. (n.d.) Pyracantha coccinea
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Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.) Pyracantha koidzumii ‘Santa Cruz’
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Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.) Pyracantha coccinea Red Cushion
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The National Gardening Association. (2024). Pyracantha Silver Lining
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The National Garden Association (2024). Firethorn (Pyracantha ‘Red Elf’)
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The National Garden Association. (2025). Pyracantha. https://garden.org/plants/browse/plants/genus/Pyracantha/
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The National Garden Association (2024). Scarlet firethorn. (Pyracantha coccinea ‘Rutgers’). https://garden.org/plants/view/78612/Scarlet-Firethorn-Pyracantha-coccinea-Rutgers/
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The National Garden Association (2024). *Firethorn pyracantha ‘*Gold Rush’. https://garden.org/plants/view/130610/Firethorn-Pyracantha-Gold-Rush/
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The University of Connecticut Plant Database. Pyracantha coccinea Plant Database
Originally published 05/99
If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.
Original Author(s)
Marjan Kluepfel, Former HGIC Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson University
Revisions by:
Jhessye Moore-Thomas, Climate-Smart Ext Assoc - Hort, Field Operations, Clemson Extension, Clemson University
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed.”
4 Likes
Yeah, I really question whether a lot of those grafts are truly compatible. I do think distant graft compatibility is understudied, and some plants are “supergrafters”—like Nicotiana—which can graft or act as an intermediary for a wide range of distant species. Using Nicotiana as an interstem, scientists have been able to graft a tomato onto a daisy and even have it bear fruit.
There are other “supergrafters” as well, so I suppose it’s possible that some of those combinations could work—but it’s still hard to have much confidence in the accuracy of that article.
4 Likes
They grew tomatoes on a daisy rootstock!? That’s cool! Thank’s for the input I’m trying to learn as much as possible got a decent bit of land with nice soil in a small valley really want to build out an orchard with as many crazy graft experiments as possible. I already grafted two varieties :haralson, and a scion from an old seed grown tree that produced huge sweet fruit one singular year in my lifetime when I was in 7th grade (my dad figures the tree, from what the previous landowner said would now be about 80 years old with virtually no human intervention!) And now it is dying so I am trying to save that one through grafting in hopes that I will get to taste that memory again.
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Good for you, bub! Experiment away. That is how we learn.
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Thanks I just checked on them again the tree is starting to blossom and the scions are pushing buds. I will share pics when/if they start growing.
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Some articles say it is compatible with everything. I
Hi Clark,
just a cautionary advice, the claims made by one of the articles you linked (bonsaitree.cc) sound like complete bs to me:
Compatibility with Persimmon? Citrus?, Olive? Come on…
A quick manual search only showed studies on compatibility with other rosaceae.
The reason I say this is because this information will likely get further propagated. When someone now searches for graft compatibility of Pyracantha they will find your post and maybe end up at that extremely questionable site. It looks to be something that was likely machine generated.
Thanks for taking the time to compile your posts. I dont want to criticise, just give a warning that the internet can be full of very very false claims.
All the best
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Agreed, @Nicholas . I posted it to bring up the point you just did. There is no way it is true. Frequently I repost to point out the misinformation. As I said I question if anything they said is true.
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I thought so haha I am really intrigued with the idea of tomatoes on tobacco rootstock though Iowa has a lot of pest pressure due to the prevelance of monoculture (corn/soybeans) and my property has nematodes would like to start some virginia 15 (very low nicotine cultivar) tobacco seedlings and graft on my favorite heirloom varieties!
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yes my dad said that when I mentioned it haha! And he doesn’t watch the simpsons he just knows that ONE episode.
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A lot of it looked like AI hallucination or the text version of those YT photoshop thumbnails of someone “grafting” an apple flower to an avocado seed and growing an “apple bunch” IN TWO MONTHS (or whatever).
And I doubt it works, but I don’t recommend growing firethorn on pomegranate. Or eating firethorn in general. There are several words I would use to describe the firethorn fruit I’ve tasted “sweet and sour” are not among them.
We’ve got a loquat grafted on photinia thread on here somewhere. There’s also pomegranate on crape myrtle thread, but I think that might have been mostly on TTFF?
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Even where species are close enough related to graft, sometimes additional caution may be needed. Decades ago, I read of someone grafting tomato onto jimsonweed (same nightshade family). The man ended up in the hospital due to the jimsonweed toxins landing in the tomato fruit.
4 Likes
Oh dang that’s awful, I don’t plan on grafting any edibles onto rootstock capable of translocating toxins to the fruit (ik nicotine is a “toxin” but all nightshades produce it to some degree).