Japanese Pieris (Pieris Japonica) Japanese Andromeda Lily of the Valley Shrub Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Japanese Pieris (Pieris Japonica) Pieris Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Perennial
Height 9 to 12 ft
Pieris japonica, is known by many names, including Japanese andromeda, lily-of-the-valley shrub and Japanese pieris; it is a species of upright to spreading broadleaf evergreen flowering shrub in the heath family Ericaceae. Native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan, it grows in mountain thickets. This variety is a medium-sized evergreen shrub or ornamental tree, and is widely cultivated in gardenscapes for its year round beauty and interesting flowers.
Pieris requires acid soil which is moist but well-drained, and a sheltered, full sun to partially shaded spot - they will grow in deep shade, but generally do not flower as well and the new foliage growth is usually not as brilliant. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.
Japanese Pieris has oblong leaves that begin the season with bright red foliage transitioning to a reddish-bronze color and transforms into glossy, leathery green foliage ( changes color throughout the seasons), and in late summer or fall, long, dangling clusters of flower buds appear; these buds open into dramatic, creamy-white blossoms in spring, and are present for 2 to 3 week
- Full sun to part shade
- well draining soil (acid, if necessary, amend the soil with an azalea or camellia fertilizer to add nutrients and adjust the pH level. Japanese andromeda bushes won’t tolerate alkaline soil.
- Sow tiny seeds under cover in spring. Surface sow and lightly cover the seed. Water from below ( set tray in water source)
- Soil temperature for germination 65-70 F
- Germination: 30 to 70 days typically.
- Harden off over 2 weeks and transplant seedling into garden; water in lightly until established.
- Spacing: 6 to 7 ft
- Harvest: When mature, collect any seeds in late fall and save them until the following summer, when you can plant them in the garden or in small pots.
- Japanese andromeda bushes have a naturally attractive shape, and it’s best to let it grow without pruning as much as possible. If you need to neaten the plant up, do so after all of the flowers fade.
- Seed Count: 10