I planted 3 of these late last summer/fall and all are living but still only 3 - 4" tall. Maybe I was expecting too much after the end of the first full year, but a bit disappointed they are still not a significant size. No flowers or berries. In fact, I had to put stakes by them so my husband won't trample when he's working in the garden. Hopefully if they survive a second winter they will start to leap into action.
Interstella® Lily of the Valley shrub Pieris japonica
Exposure
- Full Shade
- Part Sun to Sun
- Sun
Flower Season
- Spring
- Winter
Mature Size
Height: 3' - 4'
Spread: 3' - 4'
Height: 91cm - 1.2m
Spread: 91cm - 1.2m
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Details
36 - 48 Inches36 - 48 Inches36 - 48 Inches91cm - 1.2m91cm - 1.2m91cm - 1.2mFeatures
Distinctive, rich color makes Interstella lily of the valley shrub out of this world!
Forgive us for using maybe too many superlatives, but this plant earns them: Interstella pieris is one of the earliest blooming plants, starting its display of beautiful, bell-like, ruby-colored flowers before the calendar (and the weather!) even say its spring. And there are hundreds of them, dangling delicately from fine stems against a gorgeous evergreen backdrop. The flowers persist for a very long time - two months or more, often - and when they are done, the plant begins a dazzling display of star-like bright red new growth. So, obviously, it's beautiful, but there's more: this is possibly the most shade tolerant flowering shrub, blooming well even in very low light conditions, and it's deer resistant, too.
Top reasons to grow Interstella pieris:
- lantern-like blooms are delicately colored with a deep ruby tone.
- extremely early to bloom, and blooms are very long lasting.
- one of the best shrubs for shade.
Long BloomingWinter InterestResists:DeerCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:EvergreenHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2mSpacing:36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2mSpread:36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2mFlower Colors:PinkFlower Colors:WhiteFlower Shade:Ruby-red and whiteFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Colors:RedFoliage Shade:Green, with red new growthHabit:MoundedContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Full ShadeLight Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:Old WoodBloom Time:Late WinterBloom Time:Early SpringBloom Time:Mid SpringBloom Time:Late SpringHardiness Zones:5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8bWater Category:AverageSoil Fertility Requirement:Average SoilSoil PH Category:Acidic SoilUses:Border PlantUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:Pieris makes an outstanding specimen, especially in shaded areas that can be difficult to fill with something truly special. However, with its beautiful evergreen foliage, it lends itself to being planted just about anywhere.
Maintenance Notes:Pieris is related to rhododendrons and as such, requires similar conditions: acidic soil, moist but well drained soil, and protection from the worst of winter winds, especially in the colder parts of its range. A 2-3"/5-7cm layer of mulch is very beneficial.
This plant should not be regularly pruned or cut back, but you may selectively remove branches as needed to develop the shape you wish.
Fun Facts:This plant goes by a few different common names: andromeda, Japanese andromeda, lily of the valley shrub, and Japanese pieris. Its scientific name, Pieris, derives from the collective name of the muses of Greek mythology. Very fitting for such a beautiful shrub!
Interstella® Pieris japonica 'FARROWPJRF' USPP 31,866 -
5 Reviews
53431211Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
Susan Paine, Kansas, United States, 3 years ago
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I planted it on a slope next to two white Pieris. It started losing leaves immediately. Extra watering had no affect. Within a month all that was left were twigs.
Pam, 4 years ago -
I have 7 of the white Pieris in a natural area in the front yard and they are now at least 5-5 1/2 feet tall. Absolutely beautiful with a heavenly fragrance and bees of all kinds love them....the landscapers that do my yard work now are just in awe of them. They are least 10 years old and get more beautiful every year. Everyone needs at least one these beautiful bushes. Easy to grow!
Donna Willard, North Carolina, United States, 4 years ago -
I have 7 of the white Pieris in a natural area in the front yard and they are now at least 5-5 1/2 feet tall. Absolutely beautiful with a heavenly fragrance and bees of all kinds love them....the landscapers that do my yard work now are just in awe of them. They are least 10 years old and get more beautiful every year. Everyone needs at least one these beautiful bushes. Easy to grow!
Donna Willard, North Carolina, United States, 4 years ago -
Andromeda plants are so hardy !! Lovely lily of the valley shaped blooms that last a long time. Very disease resistant.I have had mine for 16yrs. now and have never had a disease issue with either of them. I now and then clip off about 10% of a stem that is going off in a direction that I don.t want. Great investment. Can't go wrong with Andromeda.
ann warner, New Jersey, United States, 4 years ago
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