ShrubsDiscover the right shrubs for your garden.
Interstella ® Japanese pieris . Photo by : Proven winner
Japanese pieris ( also known as Nipponese andromeda and lily - of - the - vale shrub ) is one of those rarified plant that captures your tending in all seasons . In early springtime , it put on a showstopping display of cascading bell - shaped flowers , similar in coming into court tolily - of - the - valley .
At the same time the flowers open up , Modern foliage emerge in vibrant shade of pink and reddish bronze , step by step compound to a lustrous glossy green . During tardy summer and crepuscle , colorful pearl - like flower buds take form and hold on through winter , providing dazzling contrast against the backcloth of evergreen plant foliage .
Slow growing and shade resistant , lily - of - the - valley bush are ideal for add class - round semblance to motley borders , woodland gardens , and foundation plantings . Smaller nanus sort can also be planted in container to provide multiseason interestingness on porches and patios .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design Ideas
BASICS
Botanical name:
Pieris japonica
Plant type:
Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Zones:
5 - 8 ( some varieties are intrepid in zone 4 if planted in a protected location )
Native area:
aboriginal to Japan , Taiwan , and eastern China
Exposure:
fond specter to full sun
Growth habit:
Upright and shaggy
Height/spread:
3 to 12 ft grandiloquent and 3 to 8 feet wide , depending on the variety .
Bloom time:
Late wintertime ( in meek climates ) to other spring , with the flower endure up to two months .
Foliage:
Oblong , glossy green leaves are arranged in dull rosettes , with new growth often touch with bright pink , red , or bronze . you could also find cultivar with variegated leaves .
Flowers:
Bell - form blush dangle graciously in clusters on foresightful raceme . color stray from vestal lily-white to pale pink to rich rose .
Special attributes:
Is Japanese pieris toxic?
Yes . All percentage of the bush , include the leaves and flowers , are highly toxic if ingested . Keep out of reaching of children and pets .
PLANTING JAPANESE PIERIS
former - time of year leaf of Interstella ® Japanese pieris . pic by : Proven achiever
When to plant:
In warm clime , planting can be done during the cooler month of early spring or fall . Colder climates should plant in spring .
Where to plant:
For the right efflorescence and leafage color , prefer a website that welcome full Lord’s Day or dappled spectre , providing at least 4 hour of sunlight day by day . In southern regions , plants will benefit from some good afternoon subtlety .
How to plant:
Loosen soil in the planting domain and amend with compost or other constitutional matter . fag a planting fix slightly wider and the same depth as the base ball . Place the plant in the kettle of fish so the crown is slightly high than the surrounding grease and then backfill , tamping down the grime lightly . water system the shrub deeply after found and then weekly until it becomes established .
Soil:
Prefers full-bodied , acidic , well - drain land with a pH between 5 and 6 . May suffer from greensickness ( yellowing of the foliage ) if grow in alkaline grime . read how to test and adjust the pH of your ground .
Spacing:
Space plants 3 to 8 infantry asunder , depend on their breadth at maturity . To prevent fungal diseases , leave enough way between plants to allow for good melody circulation .
Growing in containers:
If you live in an domain with extremely alkalic grunge , arise lily - of - the - valley shrub in a container is a expectant option , as long as you choose a flock that ’s large enough to accommodate the plant ’s root arrangement . Use a high - quality potting mix ( one designed for pane - screw plant is ideal ) , and verify the container has adequate drain holes . Get moretips for produce works in container .
JAPANESE PIERIS CARE
Watering:
Provide about an inch of body of water every calendar week during the participating arise time of year , aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged . Container - farm works may need more frequent watering . Avoid overwatering;Pierisplants wo n’t tolerate standing pee .
Amendments and fertilizer:
In springiness , utilize afertilizer especially formulated for acid - loving plants , such as azaleas and rhododendron , according to package instructions . Potted industrial plant will take more frequent dressing , generally once a month during the growing time of year .
Mulch:
To help oppress weeds and retain moisture , apply several inches of organicmulchto the shrub ’s tooth root zone , keep mulch 4 column inch from the woody shank . Pine needle are an excellent mulch for lily - of - the - vale shrub because they add acidulousness to the soil as they better down .
Pruning and deadheading:
Often more attractive in their natural shape , Japanese pieris bush require very little pruning , other than to exert their shape and to slay dead or damaged offshoot . Because plant flower on last class ’s Natalie Wood , expect to prune until after the bloom fade in spring .
Although not necessary , deadheading the spend blooms can improve plant vim by preventing seedpods from form .
Propagation:
By seed or softwood cut take after plants finish blooming in leaping .
Overwintering:
Japanese genus Pieris leaves and flower buds can digest significant damage if reveal to harsh winter winds . If potential , plant your shrubs in a sheltered position protected from prevailing wind . Another option is to wrap a temporary confidential information block , such as gunny or previous sheet of paper , around your plants . To help oneself prevent winter desiccation , keep your plants well - watered until the basis freezes in late tumble .
Pests and diseases:
Especially susceptible to lace bugs , midget insects that can cause foliar hurt by sucking the juices from the plant ’s leave of absence and pelt them with xanthous and brown spots . Control by pruning off the touch on foliage and spraying with insecticidal Georgia home boy orneem oil . Fungal disease , such as leaf spot , can also be a problem , specially if there is hapless air flow between plant life .
JAPANESE PIERIS VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven success
Interstella ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersPieris japonica
Zones:5 - 8
elevation and spread:3 to 4 animal foot tall and wide
One of the early Japanese genus Pieris to blossom , bursting into a profusion of crimson red blooms in late wintertime , with the blossom lingering for two months or longer . More refinement - tolerant than most diversity , blooming well even in downhearted promiscuous term .
picture by : Phil Darby / Shutterstock
' Mountain Fire’P. japonica’Mountain Fire '
Height and spread:4 to 8 feet tall , 3 to 6 feet wide
name for its ardent reddish - orange new foliage , which supply a bold accent in the spring garden . As the leaves mature , they turn a rich emerald green . bear gravid cluster of white , sweetly fragrant bloom .
Photo by : Alex Manders / Shuttertstock
' Valley Valentine’P. japonica’Valley Valentine '
Height and spread:4 to 5 feet tall , 3 to 4 feet all-embracing
A popular cultivar with rich cherry prime bud throughout gloam and winter that open to blushful red bloom of youth in outflow . raw foliage growth has a rich bronze tint .
Photo by : Godrick / Shuttertstock
' flame Silver’P. japonica’Flaming Silver '
Height and spread:4 to 5 feet tall and wide
dreary fleeceable leaf with silvern white edges adorn this variegated cultivar year - circular . In fountain , bright red young leafage development and cernuous clusters of white flower counterpoint beautifully with the variegate leafage .
photograph by : Millette Rejean D. / Millette Photomedia
' Dorothy Wyckoff’P. japonica’Dorothy Wyckoff '
esteem for its sorry red flower buds , which open to break pale pinkish bloom with creamy white overtones . Dark green evergreen foliation emerge red in spring .
exposure by : VladimirShnip / Shuttertstock
' Little Heath’P. japonica’Little heathland '
meridian and spread:2 to 3 feet tall and encompassing
Ideal for container planting , this stocky cultivar characteristic variegated green and white foliage that starts out a burnished reddish pink when youthful . When cool temperature arrive in spill , the foliage hold on a rose-cheeked gleam .
exposure by : annet_ka / Shuttertstock
' Purity’P. japonica’Purity '
make for its salient thoroughgoing white flowers , which are borne in large bunch against a background of sheeny , drab green leave-taking . In late summertime , flushed blossom buds form to put up color through fall and winter .
Photo by : Lenic / Shuttertstock
' timberland Flame’P. japonica’Forest Flame '
Height and spread:4 to 7 feet tall and wide
brainy flame - red new leaves in spring create a striking contrast with clump of dainty white urn - shaped flowers . As the leaves grow , they bit by bit turn pinkish , cream , and then green . A recipient role of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society .
' Katsura’P. japonica’Katsura '
meridian and spread:5 to 6 foot marvellous , 4 to 6 foot wide
shiny Burgundy wine - red novel foliage growing in spring is accompanied by arc raceme of pinkish and purple flowers . Lilac - color flower buds extend the season of pursuit through winter .
