Pieris japonica 'BONFIRE' lily of the valley shrub
Rhodovit (ericoid)Pieris
Lily of the valley shrubs are very popular ericaceous plants with attractive foliage and abundant flowering.
Bonfire is a new variety of pireis which will be loved by those of you, who dislike the pendent habit of its flower racemes: this novelty holds it flower strictly upright, like lined-up soldiers. They are deep burgundy red and appear from early autumn. The flowers themselves may come as a surprise being completely white. They open in March and can last for 3-4 weeks.
Evergreen leaves are lanceolate, mid green and glossy. New shoots are deep red to bright burgundy red. It grows medium slow and forms a compact, upright shrub that is a little taller than wide. No pruning required. If you want to trim it do so after flowering which is usually end of April.
Last update 25-12-2008
Ericaceous plants require soil that is light, acidic, and constantly moist (not wet). If your garden soil is too heavy do not dig a deep hole but make a shallow and wide bed topped up with a good mixture of peat, fine bark chips, and leaf (forest) litter. Keep the soil moist by mulching. Slow-release fertilizers are advised. Expected hardiness is about -27°C (USDA zone 5b).
