August 1996
Foliage: Evergreen broadleaf
Height: 9 to 12 feet
Spread: 6 to 8 feet
Shape: Bushy
Hanging clusters of pink or white flowers bloom in early spring. New foliage is bronze in spring, but turns glossy green for the rest of the year.
Zone: 5 to 8
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Moisture: Moist
Soil Type: Sandy, loam, or clay
pH Range: 3.7 to 5.5
Suggested uses for this plant include border, foundation, massing, and specimen plant.
Transplant using plants that have
balled and
burlapped roots or those that are container
grown.
Plant in well-drained, acid soil which has been
supplemented with peat moss or organic matter.
Place in a location that is protected from
winter sun and harsh winter winds.
Tends to get leggy and needs pruning to keep it
bushy.
Clip off old flower heads after flowers fade
in spring. This allows new flower buds to
develop for the following year.
Lacebug sucks leaf juices, causing foliage
to
turn yellow to brown.
Red spider mites, leaf spots, and dieback are
other problems.
Root rot may occur in poorly-drained soil.
Consult local sources, including historic or public gardens and arboreta, regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area.
Cultivars of PIERIS JAPONICA:
`Dorothy Wycoff' is a compact form with pink
flowers.
`White Cascade' has long strings of white
flowers which last for several weeks.
An excellent specimen, border, or foundation
shrub. It also does well in natural settings.
A graceful, clean-looking plant which, with
care, can provide year round landscape interest.
If using this plant in a foundation planting, be
careful not to locate under a window where its
ultimate height will require severe pruning.
The PRUNING SERIES videotape can be ordered
through your local Extension office.
The following Extension publications are
available through your local Extension office or
directly from:
Virginia Tech
Extension Distribution Center
112 Landsdowne St.
Blacksburg, VA 24061
#426-500 "Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs"
#426-607 "Selecting Landscape Plants -
Broad-leaved Evergreens"
This material was developed by Carol Ness as part of the
Interactive Design and Development Project funded by the Kellogg
Foundation. Mary Miller, Project Director. Diane Relf, Content
Specialist, Horticulture. Copyright 1989 by VCE.