Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' 3L

Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'

A real showstopper in the spring border. This bushy, RHS Award of Garden Merit-winning shrub bursts into life with brilliant scarlet young foliage, ageing through coppery tones to a rich, glossy dark green as the season progresses. In mid spring, branched panicles of creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers appear amid the foliage, adding a second layer of interest and drawing in early pollinators. As with other pieris, all parts of the plant are harmful if eaten, so it's best sited away from areas where pets or small children graze, and gloves are advisable when pruning.

'Mountain Fire' is a lime-hating shrub, so it needs a moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil to thrive — ericaceous compost is ideal if growing in a container. Position in full sun or partial shade with some shelter from cold winds, as young growth can be nipped by late frosts. Given time, it will form a substantial, bushy specimen reaching 2.5–4m in height and spread over 10–20 years, making it a fine choice as a specimen shrub or backbone planting in a woodland-style or acid border.

Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.