Also known as Andromeda · 154 gardener saves
Pieris: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Pieris, the genus most gardeners know as andromeda. We track 12 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Pieris varieties
Of 12 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFlaming Silver Pieris Japanese Pieris
Pieris japonica 'Flaming Silver'
#2 most savedLittle Heath Pieris Japanese Pieris
Pieris japonica 'Little Heath'
#3 most savedMountain Snow Pieris
Pieris japonica 'Mountain Snow'
Scarlet O'Hara Japanese Andromeda
Pieris japonica 'Scarlet O'
Japanese Andromeda
Pieris japonica 'Purity'
Cavatine Lily-of-the-Valley Bush
Pieris japonica 'Cavatine'
Japanese Andromeda
Pieris japonica 'Dorothy Wycoff'
Mountain Fire Andromeda
Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'
Brouwer's Beauty Andromeda
Pieris japonica 'Brouwer's Beauty'
Katsura Japanese Pieris
Pieris japonica 'Katsura'
Compact Japanese Pieris
Pieris japonica 'Compacta'
Prelude Andromeda
Pieris japonica 'Prelude'
How to grow Pieris
What the Pieris varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Pieris year
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply an acid-forming fertilizer after the plant has finished blooming.
- MulchMarch, April and October83% of varieties
Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of acidic mulch over the root zone.
- PruneApril and May75% of varieties
Prune immediately after flowering to shape and remove spent flower trusses.
- Check for PestsMay–July50% of varieties
Check for lace bugs, though this variety is resistant.
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October42% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in a site protected from harsh winter winds.
Do
- Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry spells.
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Use an acidic mulch like pine straw or shredded bark.
- Deadhead spent flower clusters to direct energy into growth.
- Protect from harsh winter elements.
Avoid
- Don't allow the soil to dry out completely.
- Avoid deep cultivation around the shallow roots.
- Do not plant in alkaline or heavy clay soil.
- Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
What goes wrong with Pieris
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Andromeda Lace Bug | Yellow or whitish stippling on upper leaf surfaces; dark, varnish-like spots on undersides. | Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, ensuring good coverage of leaf undersides. Systemic insecticides like imidacloprid can be effective. |
| Lace Bug | Yellow or white stippling on upper leaf surfaces; dark spots on the undersides. | 'Brouwer's Beauty' is resistant, but if they appear, spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Systemic insecticides are effective for heavy infestations. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves, stippled or bronzed foliage, especially in hot, dry sites. | Spray forcefully with water to dislodge them. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Black Vine Weevil | Notching on leaf margins from adult feeding; wilting from larval root damage. | Apply beneficial nematodes to the soil to control larvae. Use insecticides containing bifenthrin for adults. |
| Leaf Spot | Circular brown or black spots on leaves. | Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Remove and destroy infected leaves. Fungicides can be used for severe cases. |
| Phytophthora Root Rot | Wilting, poor growth, and dieback caused by waterlogged soil. | This variety has some resistance. Ensure excellent drainage. Plant in raised beds if necessary. Prevention is the only cure. |
| Root Rot | Poor growth, wilting, and yellowing leaves caused by waterlogged soil. | Ensure excellent drainage. Plant in raised beds if soil is heavy. No cure; prevention is essential. |
Making more Pieris
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings of new growth in early summer.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a sterile, moist medium like peat and perlite.
- Cover to maintain humidity; rooting takes 6-8 weeks.
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, acidic potting mix.
- Keep in high humidity with a plastic cover.
- Wait about 6 weeks for roots to develop.
Pieris questions
How many types of Pieris are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 12 distinct Pieris varieties. The most popular — ranked by 154 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Pieris grow in?
Across its varieties, Pieris covers USDA Zones 5–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Pieris bloom?
Most Pieris varieties bloom in early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Pieris should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Pieris shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Pieris in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
