Lily-of-the-valley Shrub

Pieris japonica Mountain Fire

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained acid soil or ericaceous compost
• Rate of growth: slow-growing
• Flowering period: April and May
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Glossy, brilliant red young leaves mature to chestnut brown and in late spring, clusters of pretty, ivory, nodding, bell-like flowers appear, resembling lily-of-the-valley. The fiery red young foliage of this rounded, evergreen shrub will add a splash of vivid colour to a shady border or woodland edge. Pieris needs a moist, well-drained acid soil and shade from morning sun.
  
  
• Garden care: Add composted pine needles or peat when planting. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of composted pine needles or peat each year around the base of the plant in early spring. Remove the faded flower-heads in late spring along with any frost-damaged foliage.
  
  
• Goes well with: Enkianthus campanulatus, Acer palmatum 'Garnet', Cyclamen hederifolium f. albiflorum, Asplenium scolopendrium 'Crispum', Dryopteris filix-mas