Pieris japonica 'VALLEY ROSE' lily-of-the-valley shrub

Valley Rose is one of the more recent varieties of pieris - tily-of-the-valley shrub. It is a result of hybridizing strong plants that show good hardiness, reliable flowering and disease resistance. The flowers are almost white with deep rosy-red calyxes and stalks so the impression of the flower colour is rather light pink. The individual flowers are fragrant, urn-shaped, opening up from rosy-red buds. After pollination they are followed by numerous seed-pods which are best dead-headed to save plant’s vital energy.

Evergreen leaves are elliptic, mid green and glossy, slightly curved downwards. New shoots are bright carmine red, changing to coppery orange, maturing to rich green after 2-3 weeks. New leaves grow two or sometimes three times a year: first after flowering, secondly in midsummer, and yet again in early to mid autumn if the weather is warm. Valley Rose grows moderately into a naturally looking uncombed shrub that gets denser with age or if you prune it as young. Any form of pruning or trimming should be done immediately after flowering which is usually end of April.

Ericaceous plants require soil that is light, on the acid side, and constantly moist (not wet). If your garden soil is too heavy do not dig a deep hole but make a shallow and wide bed topped up with a good mixture of peat, fine bark chips, and leaf (forest) litter. Keep the soil moist by mulching. Slow-release fertilizers are advised. Expected hardiness is about -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 25-12-2008; 11-02-2012