2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Pieris (lat. Pieris) - a genus of evergreen lianas, shrubs and low trees of the Heather family. In nature, plants are distributed mainly in North America and East Asia.
Characteristics of culture
Pieris is a plant characterized by high decorative qualities and pink or red color of young shoots. Pieris has been valued by gardeners for many years for its beautiful bell-shaped flowers, similar in appearance to lily of the valley flowers. For the most part, pieris are trees and shrubs up to 3-6 m in height. Pierises are often found in the form of woody vines, rising to a height of 9-10 m.
Leaves leathery with shine, oval, elliptical or lanceolate, entire or serrated, up to 10 cm long. Young leaves are often pinkish, reddish, sometimes white. The flowers are bell-shaped, collected in drooping or erect paniculate inflorescences. The culture blooms in March-May (depending on climatic conditions). Abundant flowering, especially in sunny areas. The fruit is a woody capsule that divides into five lobes when ripe, contains a large number of seeds. All parts of plants are poisonous, they contain the glycoside andromedotoxin.
Growing conditions
Pieris prefers acidic, loose, permeable soils with the addition of high-moor peat or a mixture of sawdust, sand and needles. The optimal acidity level varies between 3, 5-4, 5. It is important to maintain the acid level at the same level in the future.
The acidification of the soil is facilitated by mulching the near-trunk zone with pine nut husks, sawdust, pine bark and other organic materials. It is also recommended to systematically add sulfur to the soil.
The location is preferably sunny with protection from cold winds. It is advisable that the plants receive sunlight in the afternoon. Variegated forms need intensive lighting, otherwise the foliage acquires a monochromatic color.
Reproduction and planting
Pieris is propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering and root suckers. The seed method is quite effective, but time consuming. Seeds are sown in seedling boxes filled with soil prepared from coniferous soil, sour peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. After sowing, the soil is watered abundantly, the box is covered with glass and placed in a well-lit and warm place. Shoots appear in 30-35 days. Diving of entrances to separate containers is carried out with the appearance of 3-4 true leaves on the seedlings. The soil in containers is pre-treated with a solution of foundationol (to prevent the appearance of black leg disease). Seedlings are transplanted into open ground after 2-3 years, in the southern regions in the same summer.
For many gardeners, planting pieris with seedlings is most acceptable. Planting pits are prepared 2-3 weeks before the intended planting, the depth of the pit should be about 30-40 cm, and the width - 60-70 cm. On heavy clay soils, the parameters are slightly different: width - 1 m, depth - 15-20 cm. The seedling is planted together with a clod of earth, then the soil in the near-trunk zone is abundantly watered and mulched. Important: the root collar should be located at the level of the soil surface.
Care
Pierises are not cold-resistant, some species are able to withstand frosts up to -20C as much as possible. For the winter, it is recommended to cover the plants with non-woven material, and mulch the near-trunk zone with a thick layer of peat. Regular watering is necessary, weeding is also necessary, and loosening should be abandoned, since the root system of pieris is located too close to the soil surface. A haircut is not necessary for pieris, but formative pruning is not prohibited. The culture has a positive attitude to feeding. Two dressings per season are enough.
