Pieris
Only for acid soil or a pot of ericaceous compost; give it the same conditions as a rhododendron or camellia.
Care
Part shade, sheltered from cold wind and early morning sun, which frost-burns the new red growth.
Medium — keep moist with rainwater, especially in pots.
Acid, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil or ericaceous compost; it won't tolerate lime.
Deadhead after flowering and trim lightly to shape; cut out frost-damaged shoots.
An ericaceous feed in spring; a mulch of leaf mould or pine bark.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilCover young red growth with fleece if a late frost is forecast. how ›
- MayRemove faded flower clusters. how ›
- MayFeed with an ericaceous fertiliser and mulch. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Pale leaves with green veins.
What to do. Soil or water too alkaline; use rainwater and ericaceous feed.
How to spot it. New red shoots blackened.
What to do. Trim off; shelter the plant.
How to spot it. Wilting and dieback in wet soil.
What to do. Improve drainage.
Questions
Pieris: is it hardy?
H5: Hardy in most of the UK, but can struggle in the coldest inland or upland spots. It survives down to −15 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — the best way on alkaline soil, in ericaceous compost.
Pieris: when do you prune it?
Deadhead after flowering and trim lightly to shape; cut out frost-damaged shoots.
Pieris: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in March–May.
When do you feed it?
An ericaceous feed in spring; a mulch of leaf mould or pine bark. Feeding months, UK: April.