One of the first and most beautiful shrubs to bloom in the spring is the Lily of the Valley shrub (Pieris japonica). Sometimes referred to as “Andromeda,” it actually starts its show of color in the late fall as colorful buds form and sit through winter, waiting to burst into bloom in early spring.
But the show doesn’t end there. The cascading pink, red and white flowers are followed by colorful new foliage growth.
The foliage color varies by variety. One can see bronze, brilliant pink, orange-red and scarlet. Then, as the new evergreen leaves mature, they turn a bright glossy dark green. The colorful new growth provides a rich show of color when planted with azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons and other spring flowering shrubs.
Native to Japan and eastern parts of China, Lily of the Valley shrubs come in many hybrid forms, ranging from tight-foliaged dwarf varieties to large open shrubs that can grow as tall as 8- 10′. At home in most semi-shaded gardens, they can be massed in borders or used as an informal hedge or as foundation plants around the home.
These are acid-loving plants and prefer to be grown in rich, well-draining soil fortified with peat moss or an acid planting mix. They prefer a location sheltered from wind, with some afternoon shade. Feed them as you would your other acid-loving plants from first flowering to blossom set in fall.