Re: Pieris
- Subject: Re: [SG] Pieris
- From: D* W* <v*@ISLANDNET.COM>
- Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 21:03:20 -0700
Pieris is beautiful all year round. Right now, there are still
occasional pink or mahogany new leaves, though most have turned
green. The seedcases are like bunches of pale green pearls, and the
feathery new buds have just formed and will gradually expand and
colour until the strings of flowers open next spring.
I have several kinds, including a variegated one, though not any of
the ones with bright red new leaves.
I note in Shrubs, by Phillips and Rix, that the species vary in
hardiness. There is P. floribunda, native to the Alleghanies, which
is hardy to -25 C (-13 F). P. japonica is described as needing
shelter in Great Britain as it is often damaged by frost. It flowers
in March and April. Despite that, it is hardy to -20 C, -4 F. Maybe
the new leaves or the flowers get damaged but the plant survives OK.
The two species I grow, P. formosa var. forrestii and P. taiwanensis,
flower a month later, and are hardy to -15 C, 5 F.
I have lots of P.f.f. Wakehurst which I bought as small plants for
50 cents each (yes, a long time ago.) Obviously someone had rooted a
batch and taken them in to the local garden centre. So if you want
to experiment with them and not waste much money doing so, buy one
plant, or beg bits when you visit friends, and root cuttings to try
in various places. You might find a sheltered spot in your yard.
Growing them from seed is a surer way of getting a hardy one if you
live in a marginal climate.
--
Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
maritime zone 8
cool mediterranean climate (dry summer, rainy winter - 68 cm annually)
sandy soil
