Pieris japonica is one of those plants that seems to have something interesting going on almost all year round, but at this time of year it really starts to earn its place in the garden. Often called Lily of the Valley shrub, it has beautiful clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that hang gracefully from the branches, bringing a lovely softness to the late winter and early spring garden.

The flowers are beautiful, usually appearing in white or soft pink, but for me the real bonus is the foliage. The fresh new growth emerges in brilliant shades of bronze, copper, pink and red before gradually maturing to a glossy deep green. Varieties such as ‘Forest Flame’ are particularly good for this, and that changing foliage means you get another show long after the flowers have finished.

Pieris is perfect for those slightly shadier parts of the garden. It likes morning sun or dappled light with protection from the hot afternoon sun, and it works beautifully alongside camellias, azaleas and other woodland-style plants.

The secret to growing Pieris well is the soil. It prefers acidic, compost-rich soil with plenty of organic matter and good drainage. If you can grow azaleas and camellias successfully, chances are you'll be able to grow Pieris too. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly while the plant is establishing, and add a good layer of mulch to help keep those shallow roots cool.

They don't need a lot of pruning either. I prefer to let them develop their naturally layered shape, only removing any damaged or wayward growth after flowering. A feed with an azalea and camellia fertiliser in spring will help encourage that spectacular flush of colourful new foliage.

For me, Pieris japonica is all about those subtle seasonal changes — beautiful flowers, glossy evergreen foliage and then that incredible burst of colourful new growth. It's a plant that keeps reinventing itself throughout the year, and that's exactly what I love in a garden. Happy gardening. 🌿