Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, shade gardens, woodland edges, and mixed borders.
Benefits: A classic Pieris prized for its fiery red new growth that matures to glossy dark green. Dangling chains of white, bell-shaped flowers open in early spring from buds that decorate the plant all winter. Evergreen, tidy, and deer resistant.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — dense and tidy.
Bloom Color: White
Foliage Color: Red new growth, maturing to Dark Green
Mature Height: 6–8 feet
Mature Width: 5–6 feet
Bloom Season: Spring
Growth Rate: Slow
Summary
Fiery red spring growth and winter-long flower buds make this one of the most colorful evergreens for partial shade.
Mountain Fire is a long-standing favorite among Japanese andromedas, chosen for the color of its new leaves. Each spring, fresh growth emerges a vivid, glossy red, then gradually ages through bronze to a deep, polished green that holds through the rest of the year.
The flower show starts months before it opens. In late summer and fall the plant sets long, bead-like chains of flower buds that hang at the branch tips all winter, giving the shrub texture during the bare season. In early spring those buds open into drooping clusters of small white bells, just ahead of the red flush of new leaves.
It grows slowly into a dense, rounded shrub about six to eight feet tall and five to six feet wide, keeping its foliage down to the ground. That makes it a natural partner for azaleas and rhododendrons in a foundation bed or woodland edge, and deer usually leave it alone.
Care
Mountain Fire Japanese Andromeda Care
Plant in partial shade or a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. It can take more sun in cooler climates, but a little shade keeps the leaves cleaner and helps limit lace bug damage, which shows up as pale speckling on leaves in hot, sunny sites.
Like azaleas and rhododendrons, it needs acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Work compost or peat into the planting area, and avoid heavy clay that stays wet or alkaline soil near foundations.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Its roots are shallow, so a two-to-three-inch layer of mulch and a good soaking during dry spells keep it from drying out. Water well in late fall before the ground freezes.
Choose a site sheltered from strong winter wind. Feed lightly in early spring with a slow release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants.
Pruning is rarely needed. If you want to shape it, do so right after flowering, before the plant sets next year’s buds in summer. Snipping off spent flower clusters after bloom keeps it looking tidy.
Size
What Size is the Mountain Fire Japanese Andromeda for Sale Online?
Our Mountain Fire Japanese Andromeda ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Mountain Fire Japanese Andromeda Grow?
Expect about 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide at maturity, in a dense, upright, rounded shape. Growth is slow, so it takes several years to reach full size. Space plants about 5 feet apart for a grouping or informal hedge.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Japanese andromeda
- Japanese pieris
- Lily-of-the-valley shrub
When does the red new growth appear?
The red leaves emerge in spring, usually right after the flowers. The color is brightest for a few weeks, then the leaves gradually turn bronze and finally glossy dark green. In some years a smaller second flush of reddish growth appears later in the season.
Do deer eat Japanese andromeda?
Deer usually leave it alone, which makes it one of the more dependable flowering evergreens for yards with heavy browsing. No plant is completely deer-proof, and young plants may be sampled in a hard winter. For more options, see our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
What grows well with it?
It shares the same needs as azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel: acidic soil, steady moisture, and protection from harsh afternoon sun. Planting them together makes care simple and stretches the color from early spring through late spring. Browse more Evergreen Plants and our Azaleas.
