Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001100
11/12/99
Pieris japonica--Japanese Pieris
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Height: 8 ft Spread: 5 ft Form: oval
Type: broad-leaved evergreen shrub
Annual Growth Rate: less than 12 inches
Flowers: White
Comments: Japanese Pieris (Vis. 1) is a broad-leaved
evergreen shrub that requires a moist, acid soil. The best
light exposure is partial shade. It will tolerate
considerable shade but flowering is reduced. The main
ornamental feature is the white flowers (Vis. 3) in terminal
racemes. Flowers are sometimes injured by frosts. The new
leaves, emerging after the flowering, are bronze colored and
can be ornamental. Remove the flower heads before seed
forms.
Cultivars:
'Bisbee Dwarf' - A compact plant with smaller than normal
leaves.
'Brouwer's Beauty' - A hybrid of P. japonica and P.
floribunda. The new foliage is yellowish-green
changing to dark green in summer. The flowers (Vis. 6)
are white.
'Captain Blood' - Red flower buds are followed by white
flowers.
'Cavatine' - Upright clusters of white flowers are
produced by slow-growing, compact plant (Vis. 5).
'Compacta' - A slow-growing, compact form that flowers
heavily. Suitable for smaller landscapes.
'Debutante' - A compact shrub with a height and width of
about 4 feet, white flowers.
'Dorothy Wycoff' - The dark red flower buds open to
pale pink flowers. The new foliage is reddish
changing to green.
'Flamingo' - A vigorous plant that produces dark pink
flowers.
'Forest Flame' - A hybrid with red new growth that
changes to pink then cream eventually maturing to
green. Profuse flower production.
'Karenoma' - A hybrid of P. floribunda and P. japonica.
White flower on a compact plant.
'Mountain Fire' - Red new growth matures to green.
'Purity' - One of the latest cultivars to bloom. White
flowers (Vis. 4) and dark green foliage.
'Pygmaea' - A dwarf only 4 feet tall that produces white
flowers.
'Red Mill' - Reddish new growth, flowering is later
than some other cultivars.
'Shojo' - Dark red flowers.
'Valley Fire' - Brightly colored new growth and white
flowers.
'Valley Rose' - The flowers are pastel pink. The new
foliage has a bronze tinge but becomes green with
maturity.
'Valley Valentine' - The winter buds and flowers are
deep red (Vis. 2).
'Variegata' - The dark green leaves have white margins.
Grows more slowly than the species.
'White Cascade' - Heavy flowering, the flowers are white
and borne in long panicles.
References for Cultivars: Weston Nurseries 1999, Monrovia
Nursery Company 1997, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999, Lake
County Nursery 1999, Princeton Nurseries 1999, Iseli
Nursery 1997, Wayside Gardens 1999, Sheridan Nurseries
1997, Studebaker Nurseries 1999, Gee Farms 1999, Willoway
Nurseries 1999.
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to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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