Passion Pieris

Desiring to add color, movement and texture to a bed, patio, or bouquet this summer? Passion Pieris can do it all! With its compact green stems bending from the weight of abundant pinkish-cherry, bell-shaped blooms and glossy, emerald-green foliage, this shrub provides brilliant bursts of pink from mid to late spring along with a steady supply of green all year long. Reaching a maximum height and spread of 5 to 6 feet, this pollinator’s dream, otherwise known as Pieris jap. 'Passion', Pieris japonica Passion Party™, Passion Andromeda: Patent PP19,319, and Japanese Andromeda, lures local butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, and it’s exquisite stems and foliage provide pleasure whether swaying in the breeze outside in the garden or resting in a porcelain vase inside the home.

Originating from Asia, Passion Pieris grows upright and round. Critters are of little concern to this broadleaf evergreen. Deer resistant, this pieris’ delicate tresses of tiny pink bells are safe from hungry, hoofed ruminants. Easy to grow and low maintenance, Passion Pieris is perfect for any busy, backyard gardener. 

Passion Pieris Care

Plant Passion Pieris in a spot that is protected from harsh winds, in soil that is loamy, moist, acidic, and well draining. If the soil is dense and lacking nutrients, amend with peat moss/coco coir. The soil’s pH should be somewhere between 5.1 to 6.0. This perennial shrub can tolerate full sun to full shade, but for it to thrive ensure that it receives partial sun. Low maintenance, Passion Pieris requires fertilizing one to two times per year; once during the winter and a second time shortly after the flowering season ends. Provide it with a typical fertilizer (30-30-10) used for acid-loving plants.

To encourage Passion Pieris to create additional flowers throughout the blooming season, deadhead spent blooms as they appear. Also trim any dead, diseased, or damaged stems. Every few years, trim overly crowded stems from the shrub’s interior. This will improve the evergreen’s access to sunlight and air.

Passion Pieris Spacing

Whether planted as a specimen or en masse, Passion Pieris adds color, movement, and texture to borders, beds, foundation plantings, and hedges. Optimum spacing is 5 to 6 feet between plants.  Good companion plants include astilbe and azaleas.