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Ericaceae
Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub
Pieris japonica
Sweetness, modesty, loyalty.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Pieris
- Native to
- Japan, Taiwan, eastern China
- Bloom season
- Early Spring
- Type
- Evergreen shrub
- Height
- 2–4 m
- Sunlight
- Part shade
- Soil
- Acidic, moist, well-drained
- Water
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- 5–8
- Lifespan
- Long-lived shrub
Did you know
- Pieris is named after the Pierides, the Muses of Greek mythology, daughters of Zeus and the goddess of memory.
- The drooping white flower clusters look exactly like cascades of lily-of-the-valley flowers, which is how the plant got its common name — but unlike lily-of-the-valley, it's a woody evergreen.
- New spring growth emerges in brilliant red, bronze, or pink before turning green, making the shrub look like it's flowering twice.
- It belongs to the heath family alongside rhododendrons and blueberries, and like its relatives needs acidic soil to thrive.
- All parts of the plant contain grayanotoxins and are highly toxic to mammals — even honey made from pieris nectar can cause 'mad honey poisoning'.
Color meanings
White
Pure spring