Plant Profile: Andromeda ‘Mountain Fire’ (Pieris japonica x florabunda ‘Mountain Fire’)

The bright red new growth of this wonderful shrub is a delight in late winter to early spring (and sometimes in summer). The rest of the year the fine textured leaves are a lustrous deep green, giving the plant year round interest. Added to the great looking foliage are the racemes of densely packed white to pink urn-shaped flowers in spring that resemble lily of the valley. They are fragrant and persist for over a month. Thriving in acid soil and shade, Andromeda is a good companion to camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and leucothoe.

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.