Broad Leafed Evergreens - Pieris


  • P. japonica forms an irregular, somewhat pyramidal shaped shrub that will reach 9' to 12' in height with a spread of 6' to 8' in about 15 years from 24" plants. New growth is reddish and almost as lovely as the flowers. There are a number of cultivars available, many with extremely red new growth, such as 'Mountain Fire' and 'Valley Fire'; one cultivar, 'Daisen', has dark pink buds opening to red flowers which fade back to pink - sounds lovely. Another, 'White Water' is a low growing form with bright yellow new growth. Others have been bred to stay small and are suitable for the rock garden. There are at least two cultivars with variegated leaves. I have 'Variegata', which has a green and white leaf and white flowers, really quite lovely. Another is 'Flaming Silver', which sounds exceptionally neat. New leaves are red, edged in pink which matures to a distinctive silver-white. Guess I'll have to add this one to my 'wish list'!

  • P. floribunda, the Mountain Pieris, is native from Virginia to Georgia. Unlike P. japonica, the flowers are in upright, pyramidal clusters. Form is low and rounded with rather stiff branches. It will get up to 6' high with an equal spread. From what Dirr says, this species is not as prone to Lace Bug attack and it is tolerant of a higher pH soil than most others.

  • P. taiwanensis, the Formosa Pieris is also available from some nurseries in the U.S. It is rated hardy to -5 degrees F., USDA zones 6-9. Leaves are 3" long and the flowers clusters can be from 6" to 8" long in upright panicles.

  • P. forrestii, the Chinese Pieris is more widely used in Europe than the U.S. It is hardy to about USDA zones 7-8 and gets 6' to 10' tall. Flowers are in panicles similar to P. japonica.

    Whichever variety you choose, you can't go wrong. These are lovely shrubs that provide the shady garden with interest all year around. You can use them as specimens; as part of a shrub border; in groups (most of mine are in a group which now looks like one huge shrub, completely concealing our front deck) or with other broad-leafed evergreens.

    More broad-leafed evergreens next time. See ya' later.

    The copyright of the article Broad Leafed Evergreens - Pieris in Shade Gardening is owned by Marge Talt. Permission to republish Broad Leafed Evergreens - Pieris in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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