Pieris japonica is an upright, ornamental shrub. Japanese Pieris is noted for emerging bronzed foliage, dark evergreen character, tiered branching, and showy white inflorescences in late winter.
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F E A T U R E S |
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Form
-medium shrub
-to 10' tall x 8' wide but often smaller
-upright columnar in youth, becoming a spreading mound with age, somewhat tiered branching, with branching to the ground
-slow rate |
Foliage
-evergreen, dark green
-alternate along stem becoming clustered at stem termini
-obovate with a cuneate base narrowing to a yellow petiole
-entire margins
-glabrous (shiny)
-new growth at first red or bronzed, becoming light green then eventually dark green |
Flowers
-white to creamy
-effective for 2-3 weeks in Mar.-Apr. and very showy
-pendulous branched inflorescences to 6" long
-each flower inverted urn-shaped and contrasting with the dark evergreen foliage
-floral buds form in previous summer and are attractive as immature inflorescences during winter |
Fruit
-not showy but noticeable
-brown 5-valved capsules |
Twig
-yellow-red stems changing to dark gray branches, lightly furrowed and mottled with patches of silver
-buds very small and tan |
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Trunk
-dark gray
-furrowed to platy |
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C U L T
U R E
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Culture
-partial to full shade
-prefers a moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acid soil
-intolerant of full sun (in winter) and soil compaction |
Hardiness
-zones 5 to 7
Origin
-native to Japan
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U S A G E |
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Assets
-attractive year-round evergreen foliage
-showy white inflorescences in late winter and very early spring
-bronzed new foliage in early spring
-branching to the ground
Liabilities
-intolerance of full sun (winter desiccation)
-lace bug problems (sucks juice from leaves and causes yellowing)
-winter dieback often aided by phytophthora infestations on the stems
-chlorosis due to alkaline pH and iron deficiency |
Function
-foundation plant, usually as a specimen shrub
Texture
-fine texture
-thick density |
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S E L
E C T I 0 N S |
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Varieties
and Cultivars
- Search
OSU PlantFacts for additional plants in this species
Alternates
-broadleaf evergreen shrubs (Buxus hybrids, Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron species, Yucca filamentosa, etc.)
-shrubs with late winter or early spring flowers (Chaenomeles speciosa, Cornus mas, Corylus avellana 'Contorta', Hamamelis vernalis, etc.) |