ShrubsDiscover the right shrubs for your garden.
Interstella ® Nipponese genus Pieris . picture by : Proven victor
Nipponese pieris ( also known as Nipponese andromeda and lily - of - the - valley shrub ) is one of those uncommon plant that captivate your attention in all season . In other springiness , it puts on a showstopping show of cascade down campana - forge flower , like in coming into court tolily - of - the - vale .
At the same time the flowers open , Modern foliation issue in vivacious spook of pink and reddish bronze , step by step deepening to a shining glossy green . During late summertime and surrender , coloured bead - same flower buds form and carry on through winter , providing dazzling contrast against the backdrop of evergreen foliage .
dull develop and shade liberal , lily - of - the - valley shrubs are ideal for add class - round color to mixed borders , woodland garden , and foundation plantings . Smaller dwarf varieties can also be planted in containers to provide multiseason sake on porch and patios .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design theme
BASICS
Botanical name:
Pieris japonica
Plant type:
Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Zones:
5 - 8 ( some varieties are dauntless in zone 4 if constitute in a protected location )
Native area:
Native to Japan , Taiwan , and eastern China
Exposure:
fond wraith to full sunlight
Growth habit:
vertical and bushy
Height/spread:
3 to 12 feet improbable and 3 to 8 foot wide of the mark , depending on the variety .
Bloom time:
Late wintertime ( in mild climate ) to other spring , with the blooms live up to two calendar month .
Foliage:
Oblong , glistening fleeceable leave are do in dull rosettes , with raw growth often tinged with bright pinkish , red , or bronze . you’re able to also find cultivar with variegated leaves .
Flowers:
bell shape - shaped blooms dangle graciously in clusters on long raceme . Colors crop from pure white to pale pink to abstruse rose .
Special attributes:
Is Japanese pieris toxic?
Yes . All voice of the bush , let in the parting and efflorescence , are highly toxic if ingested . Keep out of compass of children and pets .
PLANTING JAPANESE PIERIS
recent - season foliage of Interstella ® Japanese pieris . exposure by : Proven winner
When to plant:
In warmer mood , planting can be done during the nerveless months of early spring or fall . Colder climates should embed in spring .
Where to plant:
For the best flowering and foliage coloring material , choose a site that welcome full Dominicus or dappled shade , cater at least 4 hours of sunshine day by day . In southerly regions , plants will gain from some afternoon shade .
How to plant:
Loosen stain in the planting area and amend with compost or other organic issue . Dig a planting hole slightly wider and the same depth as the ascendent ball . site the plant in the gob so the crown is slenderly high than the surrounding soil and then backfill , tamping down the soil softly . Water the shrub deep after planting and then weekly until it becomes established .
Soil:
Prefers productive , acidulent , well - drained land with a pH between 5 and 6 . May suffer from greensickness ( yellowing of the foliage ) if grow in alkaline soil . Learn how to test and adjust the pH of your ground .
Spacing:
Space plants 3 to 8 feet aside , depend on their breadth at due date . To keep fungal disease , allow for enough elbow room between plants to allow for good air circulation .
Growing in containers:
If you live in an area with extremely alkaline territory , uprise lily - of - the - valley shrub in a container is a bully alternative , as long as you take a pot that ’s large enough to accommodate the plant ’s root system . Use a eminent - quality potting mix ( one project for Lucy in the sky with diamonds - loving plant is ideal ) , and make certain the container has equal drain holes . Get moretips for produce industrial plant in containers .
JAPANESE PIERIS CARE
Watering:
offer about an inch of water every workweek during the participating growing time of year , aiming to keep the ground evenly moist but not waterlogged . Container - grow plant life may need more frequent watering . Avoid overwatering;Pierisplants wo n’t tolerate stand water .
Amendments and fertilizer:
In spring , implement afertilizer especially formulated for loony toons - lie with plant , such as azalea and rhododendrons , according to package instructions . Potted plants will require more frequent fertilization , generally once a month during the growing time of year .
Mulch:
To serve suppress weeds and hold back moisture , apply several inches of organicmulchto the shrub ’s root zona , keeping mulch 4 inches from the woody fore . Pine needles are an excellent mulch for lily - of - the - vale shrub because they add acidity to the soil as they transgress down .
Pruning and deadheading:
Often more attractive in their natural build , Nipponese genus Pieris bush want very little pruning , other than to maintain their shape and to hit dead or damaged branches . Because plants bloom on last twelvemonth ’s wood , look to prune until after the blooms fade in outpouring .
Although not necessary , deadheading the spent blooms can improve plant vigor by prevent seedpods from organize .
Propagation:
By seed or deal cuttings taken after plants finish blossom in spring .
Overwintering:
Japanese pieris leave and flower bud can suffer significant impairment if exposed to abrasive winter winds . If possible , implant your shrubs in a sheltered location protected from prevailing winds . Another option is to roll a temporary wind block , such as burlap or erstwhile sheets , around your plant . To help prevent winter desiccation , keep your plants well - irrigate until the ground freeze in late surrender .
Pests and diseases:
particularly susceptible to lacing bugs , tiny insects that can induce foliar harm by sucking the juices from the works ’s leaves and pepper them with yellow and brown spot . Control by pruning off the affected foliation and spraying with insecticidal soap orneem oil . Fungal diseases , such as leaf spot , can also be a problem , especially if there is poor airflow between plants .
JAPANESE PIERIS VARIETIES
picture by : Proven Winners
Interstella ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersPieris japonica
Zones:5 - 8
summit and spread:3 to 4 feet tall and wide
One of the early Japanese genus Pieris to bloom , break open into a profusion of ruby red blooms in late winter , with the flowers lingering for two calendar month or longer . More shade - tolerant than most potpourri , blooming well even in humiliated light condition .
Photo by : Phil Darby / Shutterstock
' Mountain Fire’P. japonica’Mountain Fire '
Height and spread:4 to 8 human foot marvelous , 3 to 6 feet wide
Named for its fiery reddish - orange raw leaf , which allow for a bluff accent in the springiness garden . As the leafage get on , they turn a fertile emerald green . Bears enceinte clusters of blanched , sweetly fragrant flowers .
Photo by : Alex Manders / Shuttertstock
' Valley Valentine’P. japonica’Valley Valentine '
Height and spread:4 to 5 feet tall , 3 to 4 feet wide
A pop cultivar with deep red flower buds throughout capitulation and wintertime that open to rosy red blooms in spring . New leafage growth has a rich bronze tint .
Photo by : Godrick / Shuttertstock
' flame Silver’P. japonica’Flaming Silver '
Height and spread:4 to 5 foot grandiloquent and broad
Dark green leaves with silvern white edges adorn this motley cultivar class - round . In spring , lustrous red raw foliation growth and pendulous clusters of snowy blossom contrast beautifully with the vary leafage .
photograph by : Millette Rejean D. / Millette Photomedia
' Dorothy Wyckoff’P. japonica’Dorothy Wyckoff '
prize for its coloured red bloom bud , which open up to give away pale pinkish blooms with creamy white partial tone . non-white green evergreen foliage egress red in spring .
picture by : VladimirShnip / Shuttertstock
' Little Heath’P. japonica’Little Heath '
meridian and spread:2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Ideal for container plantings , this compact cultivar feature of speech variegate light-green and white foliation that starts out a undimmed reddish pinko when youthful . When cooler temperatures arrive in crepuscle , the foliage study on a rose-cheeked glow .
Photo by : annet_ka / Shuttertstock
' Purity’P. japonica’Purity '
Named for its striking pure livid flowers , which are brook in great clusters against a backdrop of glossy , colored green leaves . In late summertime , red efflorescence bud organize to provide color through tumble and winter .
Photo by : Lenic / Shuttertstock
' timberland Flame’P. japonica’Forest Flame '
Height and spread:4 to 7 foot marvellous and wide
Brilliant flame - red new leaves in spring make a spectacular dividing line with clusters of dainty white urn - shaped flowers . As the leaves mature , they gradually plough pinkish , cream , and then green . A receiver of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society .
' Katsura’P. japonica’Katsura '
Height and spread:5 to 6 feet tall , 4 to 6 feet wide
Glossy burgundy - red young foliage growth in spring is accompanied by arch racemes of pinkish and purple flowers . Lilac - colourize flower buds protract the season of sake through winter .
