Pieris japonica Mountain Fire - Japanese Andromeda

Pieris japonica Mountain Fire is a rather vigorous variety, with its long clusters of white flowers contrasting beautifully with its young bright red foliage. With its naturally rounded, dense growth and glossy, dark green, evergreen foliage, this shrub is decorative all year round. Pieris are very cold-hardy and thrive in semi-shade, in alkaline-free soil: they are magnificent acid-loving plants, both in the garden and in containers. 

Pieris japonica, commonly known as Lily of the valley bush, is native to eastern China, Japan, and Taiwan. It belongs to the Ericaceae family. The 'Mountain Fire' pieris grows quite quickly, eventually forming a bushy shrub with a rounded, compact habit, approximately 2 m (6.5ft) in height and 1.50 m (5ft) in width. It has beautiful evergreen foliage, with long, glossy, lanceolate, and pointed leaves with slightly toothed edges, up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long. The young shiny shoots are bright red, gradually turning to orange, chestnut, beige, light green, and finally dark green. Clusters of pinkish flower buds appear in early winter, adding to the decorative effect of this Pieris during the dreary winter season. In March-April, the plant is covered with a multitude pendulous clusters, 10 to 15 cm (3.9 - 5.9 in) long, made up of delicate white bell-shaped flowers, resembling lily of the valley. Pollen-rich, the flowers exude a light honey fragrance.

Extremely decorative throughout the seasons, this Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' is as beautiful in the garden as it is in a large pot on a semi-shaded terrace, patio or balcony. This shrub also looks equally at home under the canopy of tall trees, in a low hedge, and especially in an ericaeous bed, in the company of other acid-loving plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Don't hesitate to combine it with spring bulbs (daffodils, muscaris, hyacinths). This Lily of the valley bush will be a beautiful asset to liven up the garden in any season, even in winter. It's perfect for a Japanese-style garden!