| Japanese PierisPieris japonica 'Valley Valentine'(pee-AIR-iss) (juh-PON-ih-kuh)Synonyms: Andromeda, Lily of the Valley Shrub, FetterbushRecently I posted a picture of Pieris jap. ‘Flamingo’ and I thought that was one of the ‘reddest’ cultivars but this ‘Valley Valentine’ blooming at the Estate actually seems a little darker. It is really pretty up against the white varieties. The Pieris collection, which has about 60 plants of about 25 different cultivars and species is always special when it comes into flower. I know that it is finally spring and it is really the first group of plants that blooms all together. There are a few Cornus mas blooming right now and the Forsythia is just starting to show some color. If you look around in Connecticut gardens you can usually see some Andromeda. They are very popular and one reason is they are deer resistant.Pieris is easy to grow and can take sun or a good deal of shade. It likes rich organic soil and a cool root zone. It can toler... |
