Sugar Belle® Mandarin

Sugar Belle® is the marketed name for UF/IFAS mandarin hybrid LB8-9, a selection from Clementine and Minneola parentage. It produces easy-to-peel fruit for the late-fall and winter season; UF/IFAS describes this hybrid as more cold-tolerant than many other citrus types. ## Fruit and placement The tree is vigorous, evergreen, and grown for its edible crop. The [Trees.com listing](https://www.trees.com/products/sugar-belle-mandarin) gives about 12 feet of mature height and 6–7 feet of width, and distinguishes outdoor USDA zones 9–11 from container growing zones. The name Sugar Belle® identifies the marketed selection; the associated patent record identifies LB8-9 as the cultivar designation. ## Site and growing conditions Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Water well during establishment and during extended dry weather, but avoid waterlogged roots. The [UF/IFAS home citrus guide](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS132) gives general advice on site, drainage, and irrigation. Cold tolerance varies with acclimation and local conditions, so temperature tolerance should not be read as a separate USDA zone rating. ## Maintenance Use mulch to moderate soil moisture, leaving space around the trunk. Remove suckers and dead or damaged branches, and prune selectively to maintain access and canopy size. A vigorous fruiting tree benefits from regular observation during fruit development and harvest.