Pieris
Pieris japonica and hybrids
Pieris is a compact evergreen shrub with drooping chains of white or pink bell flowers in early spring and bright red new leaves. It needs acidic soil and shelter.
Photo: Stan Shebs · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Keep moist with rainwater.
Soil
Acidic, humus-rich soil; pH 4.5–6.0.
Temperature and humidity
-25–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed with an ericaceous fertilizer in spring.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, layering
Deadhead and trim lightly after flowering.
All parts are highly toxic to people and animals.
Top Cultivation Tips
Shelter from cold winds that scorch new red leaves.
Grows well in pots of ericaceous compost.
Pairs with rhododendrons and camellias.
Hardy in USDA zones 5–8.
Common problems
Iron chlorosis
Young leaves turn yellow while the veins stay green, usually because alkaline soil stops the plant taking up iron.
How to treat it →PestLace bugs
Small flat insects with lacy wings that feed under leaves, leaving the upper surface speckled pale and the underside spotted with black.
How to treat it →DiseaseRoot rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →
