SHRUBS > PIERIS > JAPONICA

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PIERIS GUIDES

pieris japonica bush in a garden

Common ProblemsContainer GrowingForest FlameJaponicaPruningVarieties

This hardy , evergreen shrub is democratic amongst nurseryman , thanks to its elegant and colourful blooms .

Pieris japonicadraws on balmy whites , vibrant pinks , and assume reds to deliver new and exciting coloring material combination year - orotund .

pieris japonica in full bloom

Japonica makes a beautiful addition to any garden

This plant really does have a lot to offer up gardener of all abilities .

Pieris works in particular well as part of a bush exhibit , or in areas of your garden with a timberland feel .

“ Pieris japonica(and other Pieris specie and cultivars ) work well in combination with Camellia , Rhododendron and Azalea , preferring the same acidulous dirt conditions , ” partake in Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .

Pieris forest flame blooms with white flowers and red leaves

“ Select a shining touch , at the sharpness of a wooded area . ”

The plant has authority and assuredness to work equally well as a part of a group of shrubs , or as a standalone .

We ’ve written this guide to secern you everything you need to bed aboutPierisjaponica .

Pieris japonica ‘Flaming Silver’ growing with Bergenia in a heavily gravelled garden border

After reading , you ’ll be positive in choosing the correct variety for your garden , and in helping it to thrive .

Overview

PreferredFull Sun or Partial Shade

ExposureSheltered

Height2.5 – 4 M

birds eye view of the red and green foliage of Pieris in a circular stone planter; with soil in the background

Spread2.5 – 4 M

Bloom TimeMay – June

PreferredLoam , Sand

Pieris shown in winter with frost covered leaves

MoistureMoist but well drained

pHAcidic

This is a type of bush from the heather family that originally hails from Asia , and the drooping bundles of lantern - shaped blossom that come along in spring definitely evoke the essence of the orient .

close view of the foliage of Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’

Although the flowered bloom could be considered short – just two or three weeks – Pieris japonicapunches above its weight aesthetically throughout the twelvemonth .

AlthoughP. japonicais the most uncouth name , you may also hear the plant advert to as Japanese Andromeda , Japanese Pieris , or even Dwarf Lily - of - the - Valley Shrub .

The latter is not to be confused withanother Lily - of - the - Valley – Convallaria Majalis – which looks quite different !

huge Japanese Andromeda bush in a sheltered garden spot

Japonica is the most pop of nine metal money of Pieris – others includeP. cubensis , P. floribunda , P. Taiwan , P. nana , P. phillyreifolia , P. swinhoei , P. koidzumianaandP. amamioshimensis .

This guide overlay plants in the Japonica species , but the others also have a lot to offer .

How To Grow Pieris

If one of the assortment in our list has piqued your fondness , you ’re probably wonder how proficient to uprise aPieris japonicain your garden .

Thankfully this is quite a sturdy plant – many motley have a hardiness rating of H5 , which means they can deal most of what a distinctive winter in the UK can throw at them .

With that in mind , it ’s still all important to ensure you plant out your japonica in the good soil and light conditions .

All varieties ofP. japonicathrive in sandy , loamy soil with some acidulousness .

For optimum growing conditions , the dirt should be well - drained with some residual moisture .

This plant will not tolerate alkaline stain , so turn in a container using ericaceous compost if your garden grime is not acidulent .

These plant will do best in full Lord’s Day or partial spectre and will struggle with no sunlight whatsoever .

To give them the good chance at healthy emergence , select a location that is east or western United States facing to be safe .

Some varieties from our list above can handle face up south , but none should be planted in a north - facing direction .

For the best result , plant your japonica in spring or autumn .

With a Pieris , you could expect red growth around the leaves in February , followed by the most vivacious menses of growth in March .

This gives way to heyday – usually white but not always , as we ’ve find out above – in April and May .

As an evergreen , the leaves will stay on year - circular .

Work a layer of rich compost into the grime to provide nourishment , then engraft your japonica in a hole whose deepness matches the extent of the root organization .

You should go out about two metre between individual bush if you are plant more than one at a time .

save the soil moist will help your japonica to develop at its good .

We also recommend fertilising the plant in winter to guarantee it make all the nutrients it needs over wintertime .

The fertilizer you use should be sew to the requirements of plants that prefer acidic soil .

Ongoing Care

One of the reasonsP. japonicais so democratic amongst gardeners is the minimal care it requires .

If you plant it in the right conditions and keep an optic out for any blighter , your bush will take care of itself .

All you want to do is model back and savor the show !

A little caveat : though they are hardy , if utmost frosts are foretell , you should take stair to keep your plant ’s roots fond .

This is as elementary as spreading some straw , pine needles , or like around its base .