Description

Glossy, bushy and reddish-bronze, the evergreen foliage of this Pieris brings a sense of ‘forest glamour’ worthy of the literary heroine from whom it earns its name. Slow-growing, the Scarlet O’Hara will ultimately reach up to two meters in height and, over time, will mature into a fully green shrub as it loses the redness common in more juvenile specimens.

In spring, the foliage is peppered with clusters of small white scented flowers not dissimilar to Lily-of-the-Valley. Happy in a variety of light conditions, it is a little pickier when it comes to soil and won’t tolerate chalky or waterlogged conditions. Usually frost resistant and, once mature, drought resistant too, they are reasonably maintenance free and require no pruning.

They do prefer well drained acidic soil (if growing in a planter you’ll need ericaceous compost) and being shallow-rooted, they don’t like being planted too deeply. Dappled light will provide the most abundant flowers and a sheltered spot away from cold gusts will ensure your Pieris isn’t ‘gone with the wind’.

 

Sold in grower’s pot

Mature Height: 1.5-2.5m

Mature Spread: 1.5-2.5m

Flower Colour: White

Flowering Time: Spring

Foliage: Evergreen

Fragrant: Lightly scented

Growth Rate: Slow

Hardiness: Hardy in most conditions

Position: Full sun, partial shade (dappled light produces best blooms)

Soil Moisture: Moist but well drained

Soil PH: Acid

Soil Type: Loam, sand

 

Please note: images show how this plant may look at various stages of maturity. The size you choose may look different.