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Interstella® Lily of the Valley shrub Pieris japonica

Flower Season
  • Spring
  • Winter
Mature Size
4' 4' 1.2m 1.2m
Height: 3' - 4'
Spread: 3' - 4'
Height: 91cm - 1.2m
Spread: 91cm - 1.2m
  • Details

    36 - 48 Inches
    36 - 48 Inches
    36 - 48 Inches
    91cm - 1.2m
    91cm - 1.2m
    91cm - 1.2m

    Features

    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 Blooming
    Winter Interest
    Resists: 
    Deer

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Shrub
    Shrub Type: 
    Evergreen
    Height Category: 
    Medium
    Garden Height: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Spacing: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Spread: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Flower Colors: 
    Pink
    Flower Colors: 
    White
    Flower Shade: 
    Ruby-red and white
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Colors: 
    Red
    Foliage Shade: 
    Green, with red new growth
    Habit: 
    Mounded
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Full Shade
    Light Requirement: 
    Part Sun to Sun
    Light Requirement: 
    Sun

    The 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: 
    Easy
    Blooms On: 
    Old Wood
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Winter
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Spring
    Bloom Time: 
    Mid Spring
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Spring
    Hardiness Zones: 
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Soil Fertility Requirement: 
    Average Soil
    Soil PH Category: 
    Acidic Soil
    Uses: 
    Border Plant
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses: 
    Specimen or Focal Point
    Uses 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

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    1
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    1
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • 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.

      Susan Paine
      , Kansas
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • 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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