Pieris " Lily of the Valley Bush

"They are commonly grown as ornamental plants, valued for year-round interest due to bright red new growth in early spring, chains of small, white flowers in mid-spring, and buds that remain on the plant through the winter. Numerous cultivars have been selected for different spring foliage colour. They grow best in a shady spot, sheltered from drying, winter winds. They prefer acid soil, and should be mulched once per year, using a two-inch covering of either peat or composted pine needles. The red leaves give the plant one of its alternative names, 'Forest Flame'; the flowers another, 'Lily of the Valley shrub'. "Forest Flame" is the name given to a hybrid between Pieris formosa "Wakeham" and Pieris Japonica, it is not a nickname for the plants generally".


The garden is coming to life uncommonly early, as a result of the unseasonably warm Spring. The Pieris has long been a favourite of mine due to its habit of changing its appearance through each of the four seasons.