How to Care for a Dwarf Pyracantha

Feed dwarf pyracantha shrubs once a month starting in early April. Apply 0-10-10 formula fertilizer to the soil around the base of the dwarf pyracantha in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Water the shrub thoroughly after feeding to wash the nutrients deep into the soil.

Water dwarf pyracantha shrubs to a depth of 6 inches twice a month. Allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings to discourage colonization by spider mites or other moisture-loving pests. Avoid spraying water on the foliage when watering dwarf pyracanthas.

Prune dwarf pyracanthas after they bloom in April. Remove half the length from non-flowering branches to better reveal the scarlet red berries when they develop in late summer. Trim back the branch to just above a set of leaves. Use pruning shears with very clean blades to prune the branches.

Spread a 1-inch-thick layer of pine mulch in a 12-inch radius around the base of the dwarf pyracantha shrub in late spring to protect the roots from moisture and temperature fluctuations during the summer months. Leave a 2-inch gap between the trunk of the shrub and the edge of the mulch.

Rake up and discard the pine mulch and fallen leaves in early spring to eliminate the spread of bacterial infections such as fireblight, which is harbored in moist places. Spread fresh mulch beneath the shrub four to six weeks later when soil temperatures climb to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Watch for signs of fireblight such as limp, moist blossoms and brown, crumpled leaves. Treat fireblight as quickly as possible using a bactericide specifically formulated to treating the infection. Apply the bactericide according to the label directions, taking all necessary precautions to avoid personal injury.