How to Grow and Care for Yukon Belle Pyracantha Shrub

The Yukon Belle Pyracantha, Pyracantha angustifolia ‘Monon’ is an evergreen shrub that is hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 8. It grows to heights of 6 to 8 feet, with an equal spread. In the spring, it bursts into bloom with fragrant, tiny white flowers. In the mid-winter, the focal point shifts to the bright orange berries that decorate its branches.

If you are looking for a shrub that attracts birds and looks great, no matter the season, you won’t be disappointed with the Yukon Belle Pyracantha. It is in the same family, as the apple tree, but the berries on this shrub are smaller and not as good tasting. If you can get to the fruit before the birds eat them, they taste good in jelly or wine. It is a fast growing shrub. This makes it an excellent shrub for hedges, screens, group plantings, windbreaks, or containers. This shrub is great to keep people from trespassing because it has thorny branches.

Location

Find a good planting site. You’ll want a place that offers full sun exposure. Pull the weeds or grass in a 4-foot diameter circle.

Preparing the Soil

Lighten the soil for your Yukon belle shrub. by amending it with 2 to 4 inches of organic compost. If you have some well-rotted manure, you can use that as well. This helps the shrub to establish itself faster and provides nutrients to the soil for your shrub to grow healthy. Let the ground settle for several days.

In the center of the cleared circle, dig a planting hole. You’ll want to dig a hole that is two to three times the diameter of the Yukon belle Pyracantha’s rootball. The depth of the planting hole should be twice as deep as the rootball.

Fill the hole with water. This ensures that moisture goes deep into the soil. Allow the water to drain naturally away. When the water has drained, fill the hole two thirds of the way full with amended soil.

Removing the Pot

Put on a pair of heavy leather gloves when working with the Yukon Belle Pyracantha. Remove the pot or container by grasping the shrub at its base, close to the soil line and pulling. Be very careful not to break the soil around the roots or it will cause stress to your shrub. Sometimes the pot does not give very easily. If this is the case, cut the pot away with a utility knife.

Before you plant your shrub, inspect the rootball. If the roots are visible, gently tease them away with your fingers. If your rootball looks like a sea of roots, cut the rootball in four to six places with a sharp knife. This breaks and separates the roots that have been winding around the inside of the pot.

Planting

Insert the rootball in the center of the hole. Check to make sure that the top of the rootball is it 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the surrounding ground. The soil will settle under the root section making it even with the ground. You don’t want it lower than the ground or water will collect there and it could rot the shrub at the base. Adjust the soil under the rootball until you have it at the right height. Fill in the hole with remaining soil, tamping it down to remove air pockets.

Watering

Turn the water on to a slow flow and water the Yukon Belle Pyracantha thoroughly. This will not only give your shrub a good drink, it will also collapse the air pockets you missed within the soil. For the first year, water the shrub regularly until the roots are established.

Fertilizing

Feed the Yukon Belle Pyracantha once a year in the spring before the shrub puts on new growth. Use a slow release fertilizer. Read and follow label directions for proper amounts and times.

Mulching

Place a 2-inch layer of organic mulch over the cleared area. Keep the mulch 1.5 to 2-inches away from the base of the shrub. When mulch is against the shrub, the bark stays moist. This invites disease and insect damage to your shrub.