Compact Japanese Pieris

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Partial Sun

(3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-6 Feet

Mature Spread

5-6 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Pieris is one of the best early blooming shrubs for the home garden. Compact Japanese Andromeda gives you the early blooms that native bees love while needing less pruning and maintenance. The individual flowers of the Andromeda are small, but they are clustered in long racemes that cover this evergreen shrub. Another common name for Pieris is the Lily of the Valley shrub because the flowers and scent are similar to the classic cottage garden plant. After the blooms are finished, beautiful red new foliage emerges and turns green as it matures. The evergreen leaves make a glossy backdrop for perennials and summer blooming shrubs.

Compact Japanese Andromeda will thrive in either a sunny exposure or a lightly shaded woodland setting. Compact Japanese Andromeda will grow to 5-6 feet in height and 5-6 feet in width and is best used as a foundation plant to anchor a flower bed and provide year round interest. This shrub is drought tolerant when well established and is very deer resistant. The flowers bloom on year old wood, so any light pruning to maintain shape is done in the summer after blooming has finished.

Compact Japanese Pieris Care

Pieris Japonica Compacta likes soil that is of average fertility and on the acidic side with a pH of 5.0 - 6.6. A fertilizer formulated for acid loving plants only needs to be applied once during the growing season.The best time to apply is after blooming has finished and the new growth is starting to emerge.They combine well with other acid loving shrubs such as Rhododendron and Azalea. Pieris appreciate moist soil that is well drained.

Evergreen generally means low maintenance and this Pieris is no exception. A gentle nipping back of spent blooms when it is finished in the early summer is the only pruning or shaping needed. Cutting too far back into the woody stem will sacrifice blooms the following year.

Compact Japanese Pieris Spacing

Plants need to be spaced 4-5 feet on center when planted in the ground. Pieris can also be used as large container planted shrubs that would be an interesting evergreen focal point for a walkway or front porch. They will be happiest in at least a pot that is 12 inches or more in diameter. Pieris planted in containers need excellent drainage and watered more often during the summer months.