Japanese Pieris

Japanese Pieris

Pieris japonica

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

▲ ▼ mature, flowering plants

▲ ▼ mature, flowering plants by southeast door of Karls Hall on MSU campus

▲ flowers

▲ new growth red foliage

▲ ▼ flower buds for spring as seen the fall before

Location on campus: in garden area just north of southeast entrance to Karls Hall; or not known

Pieris japonica: Japanese Pieris

• leaves alternate, simple, evergreen, obovate to oblanceolate, 1-3" long and 1/3 as wide with crenate to serrate margins; in acid soil leaves are shiny dark green above and lighter green below; in less acid soils, leaves are lighter green; new growth on many is reddish in color and very attractive
• stem is green to yellow-green, glabrous, angled
• grows 9-12' tall and about 2 to 2/3 as wide (over many years); has an upright, oval outline with slightly drooping upper branches
• flowers are pink, cream or white in drooping terminal panicles blooming in early to mid spring; buds for flowers are formed by the end of summer the previous year and are showy; fruit is a capsule
• prefers full sun to partial shade; in warmer climates, increase amount of shade; needs moist, well-drained, acidic, high organic matter soil, although more pH tolerant than other Heath family members
• leaf spots, lace bugs, nematodes are main pests
• slow growth rate