The Pieris Japonica is a Wonderful Ornamental Shrub
The
Pieris Japonica is a gorgeous ornamental
shrub. I consider this plant specimen to
complete a full season landscape area.
When doing any garden or particular bed,
your goal is to think about having color year
around. In spring you have trees and shrubs
beginning to bloom. Summertime is filled
with colorful flowers, herbs, and other
ornamental plants.
In fall the vibrant shapes
of red, orange, and yellow appear on the trees.
In winter there also can be color in your gardens.
This Japonica comes alive in late autumn and
the blooms appear anywhere from November
through the entire winter season. Not only
is this plant specimen native to Japan, it is
seen widely throughout eastern China as well
as Taiwan. The Pieris is popular in many
Zen gardens,
as well as formal or informal. It can survive
in zones four and will live up to zone nine.
This plant can grow from three to twelve feet
tall and four to six feet wide. In northern climates
it can take full sun. In warmer zones, partial shade
is best. It should be kept in well drained soil and
watering can be done on a regular schedule. The
Pieris is also called Andromedia. The highlight
of this plant is the unique structure of the
flowers. Pink or white strains of tiny flowers
naturally flow freely throughout the plant. It is
a fantastic showcase around some solid color
evergreens.
I love putting Blue Owl Junipers near
the Japonica as well as Globe Arborvitaes.
If you need a back drop, go with something taller
such as an Emerald Green Arborvitae or Leyland
Cypress. The three combination plants creative
a wonderful color and texture garden.
The Pieris Japonica fits just about in any garden setting and is a great addition to any outdoor feature.
Other plants to think about putting next to this
one for more winter color are the
Japonica Camellia family.
Some other features of this plant are the new
growth that appears in the spring after the flowers
have died out. A red tone develops and the plant
takes on a whole new look.
In summer, the foliage takes on a deep
green tone. There are different varieties
such as a Mountain Fire. It is a low spreading
evergreen ranging from two to six feet in
height and loves rocky terrain and will
fine in full sun.
This variety has soft pink
flowers and is a show case in an area
with natural rocks or a specific bed
done with decorative stones. Variegata
has white flowers and can reach ten feet
tall. Below is a picture of a mass of Pieris
Japonica.
A great aspect of this plant specimen is
there isn't a need to prune unless you want
to keep it formed. I like to see the Pieris
in its natural shape and recommend to
my clients to trim off the dead flowers
in the spring time. The Andromeda is indeed
a wonderful specimen year around with
its changes in color from spring throughout
the colder winter months. A great plant
for those chilly winter days.
