Scarlet O'Hara Pieris

Scarlet O'Hara Pieris grows best in USDA zones 5 through 8 in full to part sun. As an acid-loving broadleaf evergreen, it wants moist, rich, well-drained soil on the acidic side and benefits from shelter from harsh afternoon sun in the hottest part of its range and from drying winter wind.

Planting

1. Choose a site with full to part sun and protection from strong wind; morning sun with light afternoon shade is ideal in warmer zones.
2. Confirm the soil is acidic and well-draining. Amend heavy or alkaline soil with compost and an acidifier such as peat or pine fines, since pieris will struggle in chalky, soggy ground.
3. Dig the planting hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than its height.
4. Set the plant so the root flare sits at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level, never buried, then backfill with the amended soil and water in thoroughly to settle out air pockets.
5. Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of acidic mulch such as pine bark or pine needles, keeping it pulled back a few inches from the stems.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially the first two seasons and during dry spells. Pieris has shallow roots and resents both drought and standing water.
• Feed. Apply a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants (a holly-tone type) in early spring after bloom; avoid heavy feeding, which can push soft growth.
• Light. Full to part sun gives the best bloom and the strongest red new growth; deep shade reduces flowering.
• Prune. Pieris blooms on old wood, so prune right after flowering in spring. Remove spent flower clusters and any dead or crossing branches, and shape lightly. Pruning in summer or fall removes next spring's buds.
• Mulch & winter care. Maintain acidic mulch year-round to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots; in exposed sites, shelter from drying winter wind helps prevent leaf scorch.
• Pests & disease. Watch for lace bugs, which cause stippled, bleached foliage in too-sunny or stressed plants, and for root rot in poorly drained soil. Healthy, well-mulched, evenly moist plants rarely have trouble.

When does it bloom, and what does it look like?

Expect bloom in spring, when pendulous clusters of small white urn-shaped flowers open along the branch tips. At the same time, the new foliage emerges a vivid bronze-red before deepening to glossy green, so you get flowers and colorful new growth together.

Why isn't my pieris blooming?

The most common cause is pruning at the wrong time. Pieris sets its flower buds in summer for the following spring, so cutting in summer, fall, or winter removes the buds. Too much shade and over-feeding can also reduce flowering, and a hard late frost can damage buds that are already formed.

When and how should I prune it?

Prune right after the spring flowers fade. Snap or snip off the spent flower clusters, remove any dead or crossing wood, and shape lightly. Doing this promptly after bloom gives the plant the full season to set new buds for next year.

Does it grow in sun or shade?

It performs best in full to part sun. Some sun is important for strong flowering and the brightest red new growth, but in the warmer end of its range (toward zone 8) a bit of afternoon shade and shelter from drying wind helps prevent leaf scorch.

Is it deer resistant?

Generally, yes. Pieris is widely considered deer-resistant and is usually passed over by browsing deer, which makes it a dependable evergreen choice for wooded and rural properties. No plant is completely deer-proof in a hard winter, but it ranks among the more reliable options.

Can I grow it as a hedge or screen?

Yes. At 6 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, Scarlet O'Hara Pieris can be spaced to form an informal evergreen screen or hedge, and its year-round foliage makes it useful for soft privacy. It also works well as a foundation shrub or as a backbone in a shaded mixed border with other acid-loving plants.