Enchanted Forest® Gay Goblin™ Pieris

Pieris japonica is an acid-loving broadleaf evergreen that performs best in USDA zones 6 to 8, in full to part sun with shelter from harsh afternoon heat and drying winter wind. Like its azalea and rhododendron relatives, it wants moist, acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Planting

1. Choose a spot with full to part sun and protection from intense afternoon sun and winter wind; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal.
2. Work compost or peat into acidic, well-draining soil. Pieris will not tolerate soggy, poorly drained ground or alkaline conditions.
3. Dig the planting hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide to loosen the surrounding soil.
4. Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil; never bury the crown.
5. Backfill, firm gently, and water in thoroughly to settle the soil. Finish with 2 to 3 inches of mulch, keeping it pulled back a few inches from the stems.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially the first two years and during dry spells. The shallow roots dislike both drought and standing water.
• Feed. Apply an acid-forming (holly-tone type) fertilizer formulated for azaleas and rhododendrons in early spring. Avoid over-feeding, which pushes weak growth.
• Light. Best foliage color and flowering come from full to part sun; in hot climates favor afternoon shade.
• Prune. Pieris sets next year's flower buds in summer, so prune only right after flowering in spring. Remove spent flower clusters and any dead or crossing branches; pruning later in the season removes the coming year's blooms.
• Mulch & winter care. Maintain an organic mulch layer to keep roots cool, moist, and acidic. In colder zones, shelter from drying winter wind helps the evergreen leaves come through clean.
• Pests & disease. Watch for lace bugs (stippled, bleached-looking leaves) in too-sunny, dry spots, and for root rot in poorly drained soil. Good drainage and adequate moisture prevent most problems.

When does Gay Goblin Pieris bloom?

It flowers in early spring, opening drooping chains of small, urn-shaped white bells at the branch tips. Soon after, the deep wine-red new foliage emerges, so the plant keeps showing color well past the bloom window.

Why isn't my Pieris flowering?

The most common cause is pruning at the wrong time. Pieris forms its flower buds the previous summer, so cutting it back in late summer, fall, or winter removes the coming spring's blooms. Too much deep shade and late frost damage to the buds can also reduce flowering. Prune only right after the flowers fade.

When and how should I prune it?

Prune immediately after it finishes blooming in spring. Remove the spent flower clusters and any dead or crossing branches to shape the plant. Because of its slow growth and naturally upright form, it needs little pruning to stay tidy.

Does it grow in sun or shade?

It does best in full to part sun. In hotter regions, give it afternoon shade and shelter from drying wind; morning sun with afternoon shade produces the cleanest foliage and strongest flowering.

Is Pieris deer resistant?

Yes. Pieris japonica is considered one of the more reliably deer-resistant broadleaf evergreens, which makes it a dependable choice for gardens where deer browsing is a problem.

Can I grow it as an evergreen hedge or in a container?

Yes to both. Spaced in a row, it forms a glossy informal evergreen screen, and at 5 to 7 feet tall it gives good year-round privacy. It also grows well in a large container of acidic, well-draining potting mix, as long as you keep it watered and feed it with an acid fertilizer in spring.