Pieris japonica Pieris japonica
Common Name(s):
- Japanese Andromeda
- Japanese Pieris
- Lily-of-the-valley Bush
- Description
Pieris japonica is an evergreen in the heath family, Ericaceae. It is native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan where it grows in mountain thickets. It is an upright to spreading ornamental shrub, noted for its emerging bronzed foliage, showy floral buds that mature in late summer and are attractive in fall and winter, and showy white (or pink) inflorescences that bloom in late winter to early spring.
Grows in sun to partial shade. Prefers moist, acidic soil enriched with organic matter.
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Cavatine'
- 'Dorothy Wyckoff'
- 'Flaming Silver'
- 'Katsura'
- 'Mountain Fire'
- 'Mountain Snow'
- 'Prelude'
- 'Temple Bells'
- 'Valley Rose'
- 'Cavatine'
- Tags:
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Cavatine'
- 'Dorothy Wyckoff'
- 'Flaming Silver'
- 'Katsura'
- 'Mountain Fire'
- 'Mountain Snow'
- 'Prelude'
- 'Temple Bells'
- 'Valley Rose'
- 'Cavatine'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pieris
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Asia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full Sun (Direct sunlight 8+ hours a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight (2-4 hrs) for only part of the day
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- fruit a round capsule, the pods persist into winter
-
-
Flower:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- showy floral buds that mature in late summer and are attractive in fall and winter; showy white (or pink) flowers that bloom on 3-6 in terminal, drooping clusters; inverted urn-shaped.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, lustrous dark green leaves; 1.2 to 3.5 in. long; new growth is bronze-green
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- hairless twigs
-
-
Landscape:
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
-
-
Poison:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Tingling sensation, salivation, nose running, eyes watering, nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, weakness, convulsions; may be fatal.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Similar plants:
-
Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burford'
-
Magnolia virginiana
-
Viola canadensis
