How to Grow Pieris

Pieris are compact evergreen shrubs with small leathery dark green foliage and bead like chains of cream coloured bell-shaped flowers during the spring season. They are best suited to banks and slopes or flower beds and containers within courtyard and informal garden settings. You should expect to see Pieris grow to an approximate height and spread of 1.2m (4’).

Pieris are best planted in well-drained soil of loam and sand within an acidic PH balance. They are best positioned in an area of full sun or part shade, with protection from strong winds. Pieris should be planted between June and September. Dig a hole that is both deep and wide enough to accommodate your shrub with the crown peeping just above ground level. Water Pieris thoroughly once planted as this will settle the surrounding soil.

Prune Pieris lightly to remove any untidy shoots after the flowering period and to remove dead or damaged shoots during the early summer. Feed Pieris with an acidifying fertiliser in the spring and again during the middle of summer. Apply a 5cm (2”) layer of mulch, taking care not to pile it around the base. Water Pieris daily until it has fully settled into the planting area and shows signs of growth. Thereafter, watering will be required to keep the soil moist where it should be increased during periods of drought.

It is possible to propagate Pieris by softwood cuttings during early summer or alternatively by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.