Fetterbush Pieris japonica
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Fetterbush:
Previously known as:
- Andromeda japonica
- Phonetic Spelling
- pi-ER-is ja-PON-i-ca
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Japanese pieris is a woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the heath family (Ericaceae). It is native to southeast China, central to southern Japan, and Taiwan where it grows in mountain thickets. The species epithet is Latin for "Japanese."
This shrub requires a site with moist, well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter. It grows in full sun to partial shade, preferring some shade when planted in southern gardens. Also, protect it from winter winds. Propagate by stem cutting.
Japanese pieris has an upright, rounded, and dense habit and slowly matures to a height of 8 to 10 feet and a width of 6 to 8 feet, though there are dwarf cultivars. It is noted for its emerging coppery red leaves, fragrant white urn-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring, and multi-season interest. The shrub does tolerate pruning, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old growth.
Use Japanese pieris in the landscape as a specimen or planted in mass to grace landscape borders, home foundations, or Asian gardens.
Consider planting native alternatives found in the left column.
Quick ID Hints:
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Reproductive structures (flowers or old fruits) are visible year-round
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White/pink urn-shaped flowers in pendulous chains
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New growth is coppery red, and stems are yellow-green
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Evergreen shrub with sympodial growth, rosette-like leaves
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leaf spot, dieback, and phytophthora blight. Root rot can occur. Nematodes and lace bugs are major problems.
VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
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- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Bert Chandler'
white flowers, salmon pink new foliage then white to light green - 'Cavatine'
compact, low growing mound, white flowers - 'Dorothy Wyckoff'
red flower bud, pale pink to white flowers - 'Flaming Silver'
young leaves red, margins pink then silver white, white flowers - 'Katsura'
- 'Mountain Fire'
vivid red new growth, white flowers - 'Mountain Snow'
- 'Prelude'
dwarf, 2 to 3 feet, white flowers - ‘Scarlet O’Hara’
narrow habit, bronze new growth, white flowers - 'Temple Bells'
- 'Valley Rose'
pastel pink flowers, deep green foliage
- 'Bert Chandler'
- 'Bert Chandler', 'Cavatine', 'Dorothy Wyckoff', 'Flaming Silver', 'Katsura', 'Mountain Fire', 'Mountain Snow', 'Prelude', ‘Scarlet O’Hara’, 'Temple Bells', 'Valley Rose'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Bert Chandler'
white flowers, salmon pink new foliage then white to light green - 'Cavatine'
compact, low growing mound, white flowers - 'Dorothy Wyckoff'
red flower bud, pale pink to white flowers - 'Flaming Silver'
young leaves red, margins pink then silver white, white flowers - 'Katsura'
- 'Mountain Fire'
vivid red new growth, white flowers - 'Mountain Snow'
- 'Prelude'
dwarf, 2 to 3 feet, white flowers - ‘Scarlet O’Hara’
narrow habit, bronze new growth, white flowers - 'Temple Bells'
- 'Valley Rose'
pastel pink flowers, deep green foliage
- 'Bert Chandler'
- 'Bert Chandler', 'Cavatine', 'Dorothy Wyckoff', 'Flaming Silver', 'Katsura', 'Mountain Fire', 'Mountain Snow', 'Prelude', ‘Scarlet O’Hara’, 'Temple Bells', 'Valley Rose'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pieris
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE China, Central to Southern Japan, and Taiwan
- Distribution:
- Native; China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, Taiwan. Introduced: United States--VT
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are dry, small, 1/4-inch, dehiscent, 5-valved capsules that ripen in late summer and persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The showy floral buds mature in late summer and are attractive in fall and winter. They give way to showy white inverted urn-shaped flowers in 3-6 inch long terminal, drooping clusters or racemes that bloom in spring. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch long. Five calyx lobes are valvate. Five corolla lobes are waxy and urceolate. There are 10 stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, leathery, simple, crowded rosette-like at branch tips. Shape is obovate-oblong to oblanceolate with acute to obtuse tips, cuneate bases, and crenate-serrate margins. They are dark green above and lighter green beneath, glabrous, and 1-4" in size. New growth is bronze-green to reddish or pinkish.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- The bark is reddish brown, scaly, split, and vertically fissured when mature.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are hairless. Stems are green to yellow-green, glabrous when young, and have sympodial growth. The leaves cluster near the branch tips.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- The leaves and nectar are poisonous. Tingling sensation, salivation, nose running, eyes watering, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, cardiac failure, weakness, and convulsions; may be fatal.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin, Grayanotoxins
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
