Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Mountain Fire Pieris, Mountain Fire Andromeda, or Pieris Japonica Mountain Fire, is a popular evergreen shrub with a showy, upright style. Reaching between 6 and 8 feet tall, with a spread of 5 to six feet, this ornamental stunner has fragrant droop clusters of white flowers that appear in spring, with stunning cherry-red growth that appears above broad, glossy, evergreen foliage. It is very fragrant and creates an incredible spring display.
Native to the southeastern United States, The Mountain Fire Pieris is very hardy and critter resistant. The early spring nectar of the flowers is a great source for beneficial pollinators. Fresh growth on the Mountain Fire Pieris is bright red, and mature leaves are a saturated vivid green. Mountain Fire makes excellent cut branches that provide color and structure to arrangements and bouquets.
Mountain Fire Pieris Care
The Mountain Fire Pieris should be planted in well-drained, moist soil. Mulch is a great option to protect and shelter this impressive shrub. It tolerates acidic soil and grows well in areas with low humidity. It is partial to sun and dappled shade, and needs weekly watering that increases in frequency during times of extreme heat. You can use Azalea and Camellia food to fertilize your Mountain Fire Pieris.
This shrub should be pruned in the late spring, just after flowering. Start by cutting branches just above a set of leaves. The Mountain Fire flowers on last year’s branches. If possible, this plant should be protected from harsh winter winds, and many growers opt to place them under mature trees.
Mountain Fire Pieris Spacing
These gorgeous shrubs should be planted 4-5 feet apart from center to center to create a tightly spaced hedge. They are also ideal for foundation plantings, patios, and accents. If you prefer a more casual look, they can also be planted further apart or as an individual specimen. They grow well in large outdoor containers and, when they reach maturity, can provide a privacy screen.
Mountain Fire Pieris Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Partial Sun (5-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 5-6 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Upright, Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Early Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Red
- Foliage Description
- Green, Red
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, 4 Season Interest, Winter Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Mountain Fire Pieris
- Botanical Name
- PIERIS JAPONICA 'MOUNTAIN FIRE'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!