Pieris japonica

Lily-Of-The-Valley Shrub
Ericaceae
Evergreen, Shrubs

PIERIS

Hybrids and selections Asian (primarily Japanese) natives; one species from the eastern United States. Elegant in foliage and form the year around, these mid-size to large shrubs make good companions for rhododendron and azalea, to which they are related. They have whorls of leathery, narrowly oval, glossy, medium to dark green leaves and bear clusters of small, urn-shaped, typically white flowers. Most plants form flower buds by autumn; these resemble strings of tiny beads in greenish pink, red, or white and provide a subtle decorative feature in winter. Flowers open from midwinter to midspring.

New spring growth is often brightly colored (pink to red or bronze). Same cultural requirements as rhododendron and azalea. Need acid, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil and summers that are cool to merely warm; they do not thrive in hot, dry conditions. Fairly easy to grow in the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades, but as you move south and inland, they become increasingly fussy and are often less satisfactory. Also do well in milder parts of the eastern United States.

Where water is high in salts, soil needs careful leaching. Choose a planting location sheltered from wind, where plants will get high shade or dappled sunlight at least during the warmest afternoon hours. Where summers are cool or foggy, plants can take more sun. Prune by removing spent flowers. Thin older specimens by taking out whole branches; or limb them up to reveal attractive peeling bark. Splendid in containers, in woodland and Japanese gardens, in entryways where year-round quality is essential.

Pieris japonica

From Japan. Upright, dense, tiered growth to 9 or 10 ft. high and wide. New leaves are bronzy pink to red; mature ones are glossy green, 3 in. long. Drooping clusters of white, pink, or nearly red flowers; flower buds are often dark red.

'Crispa'

To 6–7 ft. tall and wide, with handsome wavy-edgedleaves.

'Dorothy Wyckoff'

Deep red buds open into pink flowers that age to white. Bronzy new foliage. Vigorous, compact grower.

'Flaming Silver'

Excellent hybrid plant to 4–5 ft. tall and wide. Young leaves are red with pink margins, mature ones green with white edges.

'Little Heath'

To 2–4 ft. tall and wide, with gray-green leaves edged in creamy white.

'Mountain Fire'

Fiery red new growth.

'Purity'

To 3–4 ft. tall and wide. Late bloomer with unusuallylarge white flowers.