Pieris Japonica (aka Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub, aka Andromeda) is one of the best shrubs for a shady spot in your garden. These hardy shrubs grow to between 2 to 3 feet or 4 to 6 feet depending on the variety. They are evergreen so they keep their leaves all winter. In the early spring they produce masses of small bell shaped flowers in white, pink, or red. After the flowers have finished blooming they produce a flush of new leaves that come in white or red. So you can get months of beauty and colour from these simple shrubs.
It is best to add some manure or compost at the base of enstablished plants every spring to ensure that they get the nutrients they need to flower and grow well. If you plant them next to a house be sure to water them well during the winter months to prevent them from drying out.
Some of the most popular varieties include:
- Flaming Silver – pale while flowers with red foliage that turns silver
- Katsura – new foliage is a striking dark red
- Little Heath – a dwarf compact type with variegated foliage
- Mountain Fire – white flowers with dark re new foliage
- Prelude – a dwarf compact variety with white flowers
- Valley Fire – white flowers
- Valley Rose – pink flowers
- Valley Valentine – has beautiful red flowers
