Pieris japonica 'BONFIRE'

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.

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).

Last update 25-12-2008