Pieris japonica (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 2m
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Family: Ericaceae
Pieris japonica is an evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit. Its dark green leathery leaves are ovate with shallowly serrulate margins, up to 9cm long and 2cm broad. In spring the new leaves appear in whorls at the end of each shoot and are reddish in color. Its white fragrant flowers are bell shaped, up to 1cm long, arranged in racemes or panicles which are up yo 15cm long. Its fruit is a loculicidal capsules.
Pieris japonica Flower Buds (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Pieris japonica, commonly known as Japanes Pieris, is native to east China, Taiwan and Japan. In its native habitat it grows in thickets on mountain slopes.
The etymological root of the binomial name Pieris is from the Greek Pierides, the surname of the goddesses of song. Japonica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Japan’.
The landscape architect may find Pieris japonica useful as a medium sized shrub for planting in acidic soils, particularly in dappled shade. This shrub is not attrative to deer. If the soil is insufficiently acidic its leaves may become chlorotic.
Ecologically, Pieris japonica is attractive to bees and pollinating insects.
Pieris japonica Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given numerous varieties of Pieris japonica their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Pieris japonica prefers moist,moderately fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers an acidic pH of soil.
Pieris japonica requires little maintenance.