Pieris japonica
| Pieris japonica | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 13' |
| Width: | 13' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Pieris japonica (common name: lily of the valley bush)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in the spring on a fine moss peat. Keep the compost moist and place the pot in a shaded part of the greenhouse[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of short side branches with a heel, August/September in a frame[2].
Layering.
Offsets.
Cultivation: Easily grown in a moist acid peaty soil but it requires a sheltered position because the young growth is easily damaged by frost[3][4][5][1]. Plants grow best with a western exposure so that they are protected from morning frosts[3]. They flower more freely when grown in a sunny position[1]. Best grown in shade or semi-shade[6], they grow well in a woodland garden[1].
Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[5].
A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[4][1]. The flowers are delicately scented[7].
A slow growing plant[1].
Plants sometimes succumb to an incurable fungal infection[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: E. Asia - E. China, Japan.
Habitat: Open forests in mountains[8]. Thickets at elevations of 800 - 1200, occasionally to 1900 metres[9].
Usage: The plant is used as a pesticide and a parasiticide[8].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant is poisonous[8].
Also Known As: P. taiwanensis. P. yakushimensis. Andromeda japonica.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.