Japanese Pieris: How to Grow a Lily of the Valley Shrub

Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica) is a mid-sized evergreen shrub native to Japan, China, and Taiwan. This flowering plant—also known by the common names Japanese Andromeda or lily of the valley shrub—blooms early in the growing season with clusters of small, bell-shaped pink or white flowers surrounded by dark green foliage. It grows to twelve feet with an eight-foot spread, making them popular shrub borders.

This broadleaf evergreen shrub grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8. Japanese Pieris is toxic to humans and animals, so plant it out of reach.

Here are some popular Japanese Pieris cultivars that can lend visual interest to your garden at different times of the year:

1. 1. ‘Flaming Silver’: The foliage of this cultivar starts red before turning silvery and variegated in the summer. The flower buds are a dusty red color before blooming into chains of white flowers.
2. 2. ‘Little Heath’: This cultivar has deep red evergreen foliage that eventually turns green with white edges that last year-round. Its blooms are delicate and white.
3. 3. ‘Mountain Fire’: This shrub blooms with attractive white flowers with foliage that has an earthy red color. Its colors are brightest in spring, adding some fall color variation to your spring garden.
4. 4. ‘Valley Rose’: This cultivar features brilliant white flowers edged with bright pink and dark green foliage. The chains of blooms in its flower clusters bloom with many buds, making it a popular ornamental shrub choice.
5. 5. ‘Valley Valentine’: This cultivar looks similar to the Valley Rose, but the Valentine has deep red blooms that hang from their stems like bunches of berries.

Plant Japanese Pieris in the garden in early spring or fall. Planting in spring will allow your newly planted shrub to make the most of the growing season's light and warmth. Planting in the fall will allow your plant to establish strong roots before the next year's growing season.

In both cases, cover your plant's soil with mulch to retain moisture in the soil during summer and to protect its roots from the frost in winter.

You will have the best luck planting Japanese Pieris from an already established plant bought from a nursery or garden center. Follow these simple steps for transplanting an established plant:

1. 1. Choose a planting site. Choose a location for your plant that receives full or partial shade during the day.
2. 2. Prepare the soil. Prepare your soil with organic compost or fertilizer that raises the acidity in the soil pH level, whether you’re planting in a container or directly into your garden bed. Ensure your soil is well-draining to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. If planting in a container, use one with drainage holes.
3. 3. Plant the root ball. Dig a hole in the soil as large as the small container your Japanese Pieris shrub came in. Gently remove the plant from its container and place its root ball in the prepared hole. Gently press down on the roots as you backfill the hole, compressing any air pockets around them.
4. 4. Water to establish. Water your plant immediately after transplanting it and again as needed when the soil is dry.

Here are some steps to take when caring for your Japanese Pieris shrub:

• Amend the soil: Japanese Pieris plants need acidic soil. Amend your soil with an acidic fertilizer to change the pH level of your soil. Fertilizers made for azaleas, rhododendrons, or camellias will work well. The soil should also be rich and well-draining. Adding organic matter such as compost to the soil can also improve soil drainage.
• Water regularly: The ornamental shrub thrives with regular waterings. Water your plants once a week to ensure that the soil stays moist. Always check your soil before watering to ensure you're not overwatering your plants, which can lead to root rot.
• Prune after bloom: Japanese Pieris shrubs typically grow into an attractive shape on their own and do not require supplemental pruning. However, if you need to prune your plant, do so after the plant's bloom time, once the last flowers of the season have faded.

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