Pieris Mountain Fire

Pieris Mountain fire is best grown in organically rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Summer foliage decline and reduced vigor results in weakened plants that may succumb to a harsh winter. It grows best in locations sheltered from wind with some afternoon shade. Remove spent flowers immediately after bloom.

Pieris mountain fire is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that typically matures to 9-12’ tall with a dense, upright habit. It features drooping clusters (racemes to 6” long) of lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers in early spring. Serrulate, oblanceolate to obovate-oblong leaves (to 3.5” long) emerge orange-bronze but mature to glossy dark green. Leaves are evergreen. Bead-like flower buds are set in late summer for the following year and provide winter interest and contrast to the evergreen foliage. Many cultivars are available featuring flowers in various shades of white, pink and deep rose.

It typically matures in a spreading mound to 4’ tall and 3’ wide over the first 10 years. Over additional time, it may eventually reach 6-8’ tall. It features large pendulous clusters (racemes) of urn-shaped, lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers in early spring. If spent flowers are not trimmed off after bloom, they are followed by small 5-valved capsules. Serrulate, oblanceolate to obovate-oblong leaves (to 2” long) emerge bright red (hence the cultivar name), but mature to glossy dark green. Subsequent minor spurts of new growth in summer add interesting contrast to the foliage. Leaves are evergreen. Bead-like flower buds are set in late summer for the following year and provide winter interest and contrast to the evergreen foliage.