Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub.
Outstanding Feature: Red new growth in late winter-early spring, often again in summer; fragrant clusters of pink to white flowers through out spring.
Form: Rounded mound.
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Bloom: White, fragrant, urn-shaped flowers are borne in dense racemes from early to late spring.
Size: 5-6’ H x 5-6’ W.
Light: Partial sun, shade; too much sun can result in leaf scorch.
Soil: Thrives in moist, acid, moderately rich humus soil.
Fertilizer: Holly-tone in spring.
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Care: Water during drought; Wilt-pruf or similar product beneficial in winter.
Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to Black Spot, Scales, Spider Mites, Thrips.
Propagation: Hardwood cuttings.
Comments: Deer resistant.
I love the sweet smell of pieris in spring!
Agreed; so I should add that they should be planted near a bench where their scent can be enjoyed.
My shrub has turned brown other than a few branches. What should I do?
Donna,
I hate to say it, but a brown shrub in spring is not a good thing. Without seeing it, I would guess it is too late to save it. sorry.
Karen
Donna,
Your Andromeda might have some life left in the root so cut the dead branches off and hope for new shoots.
Karen
I’m trying to decide where to plant my Mountain Fire shrub. I know it gets very large, but I’m not sure how quickly/slowly it grows. Can anyone tell me? Thanks.
Carol,
Many factors affect the growth rate of a shrub including light, water, temperature, and soil quality so it is difficult to predict how fast yours will grow without knowing about this factors. If your shrub likes its site it can be expected to grow at a moderate rate to 5-6′ but could be larger if conditions are not right. It is considered a good shrub for a small garden but consider the optimum size you have available, your time frame (5 years should be sufficient), and if you have the heart to dig it up if and when it gets too big. Hope this helps.
Karen
Hi there, just planted my Mountain Fire Pieris a week ago and have noticed ants on only the red parts of the leaves. Is this going to damage them/what is going on with this attraction?
Tricia,
Examine the areas where the ants are active and look for aphids. They are tiny insects that damage the plant and produce a liquid that the ants love. To get rid of both, spray the aphids with a hose; even a bucket of water thrown on them may do the job. Aphids are common pests on many plants but usually easy to eliminate. Good luck.
Karen
We moved two good sized andromeda shrubs about a year ago. They were thriving until recently – now they are struggling. (I think the loss of some trees are giving them too much sun) I would like to propagate some new plants – what’s the best method?
Denise,
I would try layering first. Bend a branch down to the soil peg it and then cover with soil and mulch. Keep moist and check every few weeks to see if it has rooted. Hardwood cuttings taken after the first is another way to propagate Andromedia but it is a difficult method so take many more cuttings than you think you need. Good luck.
Karen
Karen,
I planted five of these along a fence line this spring, and the three of them in the middle are showing disturbing symptoms. One has had a couple of branches turn completely brown. Now the remaining branches show leaves that look badly sunburned: bleached out green with large dry brown spots in the centers of the leaves. The two other plants have these same symptoms. Can you help?
Diane
Diane,
I am sorry to read that your Andromeda are doing poorly. In nature, Andromeda live on the edge of woodlands. They like some shade from hot sun but plenty of light, rich, organic, moist soil that is somewhat acid. I would get a soil test to determine if it is suitable for Andromeda as it is or if you need to add something to it. The other major reason for shrub death is water, either too much or too little. Most new shrubs need a good soaking once a week for at least the first year and during dry spells after that. Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Karen
Does anyone know where i can get these online?? My ex-roommate bought a couple and I love them and would like to get them for my house but the store he got them at is all out.
Thanks,
Derrick
I would like to purchase one of these and plant under a large sliver maple tree. Because they can grow so tall, can these be trimmed at all?
Dear John,
Yes, you can prune it lightly in the spring, as you would an azalea. Don’t cut it back hard (to the ground), however.
Karen
My poor Andromeda suffered from with broken branches from the heavy winter snows. Can it be saved?
Prune the branch off carefully where the break Occurred. The plant will probably survive and do well especially if it likes it site.
Karen
I planted two mountain fires about two months ago. They seem to have been doing well. We had a bad rain several weeks ago and some of the leaves had fallen off. Now the leaves are falling off on one of the shrubs a lot. These leaves are still very green when they first fell off.
Robin
Changes in rainfall can cause leaves to drop. Hopefully, the water will drain and soil moisture will go back to normal. Most plants not like wet feet.
Karen