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Pieris japonica Prelude

Pieris japonica Prelude
Japanese Andromeda, Japanese Pieris

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A dwarf variety, reaching a height of 45 to 60 cm at maturity, forms a dense, evergreen, elegant foliage dome. It is covered in early spring with an abundant flowering of white-cream bell-shaped clusters. Suitable for rockeries, borders in well-drained and moist, non-limestone soil. It can also be advantageously planted in a pot on a patio.
Flower size
12 cm
Height at maturity
80 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time March to April
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Description

The Japanese Andromeda or Pieris japonica 'Prelude' is a dwarf variety with a rounded and bushy habit. It is covered in spring with a beautiful white-cream flowering in clusters of tiny bells, very abundant. It has a dark green, shiny evergreen foliage, for a contrasting and elegant overall appearance. Easy to grow in any acidic and moist soil, this variety looks stunning in a large pot on the terrace, in a fresh rockery, or in a shrub bed, always in partial shade. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Pieris belong to the ericaceae family, just like heathers and rhododendrons. They are shrubs that prefer acidic soil, or at least non-chalky soil, with evergreen foliage whose new shoots take on pink or coppery hues, accompanying a pretty flowering in clusters of small often fragrant bells. It is very convenient when the conditions are met; they appreciate light soil that remains moist and acidic. It is a partially shaded or sunny exposure as long as it is not scorching sun. Varieties derived from Pieris japonica are quite hardy once established.

The 'Prelude' variety of Japanese Andromeda is a particularly low form, with a bushy, flattened dome habit, reaching a height of 45 to 60 cm and a width of 60 to 90 cm at maturity. Its small lanceolate leaves, fairly dark green with bluish reflections, are glossy on their upper surface. They are succeeded by tender green spring shoots. The white-cream flowering, slightly fragrant, composed of relatively upright clusters filled with many small urns, is preceded by very decorative pale pink buds in winter. It takes place from March to April.

'Prelude' is slow-growing, requires little to no pruning or maintenance, and is perfect for small gardens, containers and planters, rockeries, or bordering flower beds. A superb evergreen shrub, essential in acidic soil, relatively accommodating in ordinary soil enriched with peat and compost, it is planted at the forefront of Rhododendrons and Camellias, surrounded by hellebores, ferns, and Bergenias.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time March to April
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 12 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Pieris

Species

japonica

Cultivar

Prelude

Family

Ericaceae

Other common names

Japanese Andromeda, Japanese Pieris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Planting and care

The Pieris japonica 'Prelude' grows best in acidic and fertile soil that stays moist. If your soil is not acidic, you can improve it by adding peat or turf, which will also help to lighten the soil. Plant the Pieris in an area that gets non-burning morning sunlight or partial shade and is shielded from cold drafts. The plant likes moist soil that drains well. Using a good mulch, such as pine bark, can help to maintain soil acidity and moisture in the summer. If you have heavy or chalky soil, growing the Japanese Andromeda in a container and watering it with non-chalky water is better. It is a low-maintenance plant that is rarely diseased and should only be pruned when necessary.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Shaded rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Edge of border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 3 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Light, fertile, draining.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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