We love the early spring blooming Pieris shrubs because they have it all. Flowers? Check. Evergreen? Check. Deer resistant? Check. Check! And shade-loving? YES, THAT TOO!
Pieris (common name: Japanese Andromedea) is one of the easiest evergreen shrubs to grow, but it will not tolerate a wet spot. It is highly disease resistant, and besides a treatment of Holly-tone fertilizer in May, the plant is very low maintenance. Here are some of our favorite varieties:
PIERIS ‘VALLEY VALENTINE’
Pieris ‘Valley Valentine’ has delicate, dark evergreen foliage covered with pink, fragrant blooms in early spring. Plant this taller variety in a hedge or border for year-round privacy. Grows 6’ to 7’ tall and 4’ to 5’ wide
PIERIS ‘MOUNTAIN FIRE’
Pieris ‘Mountain Fire’ has brilliant red new foliage, which turns dark green with maturity, showing gradations of peaches, oranges, and yellows throughout the spring and summer. This evergreen is a showstopper! Clusters of showy white flowers appear in March and April. Grows 6’ tall and 4’ wide
PIERIS ‘SPRING SNOW’
Pieris ‘Spring Snow’ is a compact grower that stays small and forms a rounded mound. Pink buds bloom into white flowers. This versatile evergreen is perfect for perennial gardens or small spaces—no pruning necessary! Grows 3’ to 4’ tall and wide.
PIERIS ‘BROWER‘S BEAUTY’
Pieris ‘Brower‘s Beauty’ has lustrous, delicate evergreen leaves, but when in full bloom you can barely see the foliage beneath the trusses of white downward-facing, bell-shaped blooms. Grows 5’ to 7’ tall and 5’ wide. Victoria is owner-operator of Victoria Gardens, a nursery and garden center in Rosendale that will delight gardeners, professionals, and novices alike. Check out the website at victoriagardens.biz
