Pieris japonica ssp. yakushimanum 'PRELUDE' lily-of-the-valley shrub
Rhodovit (ericoid)Lily-of-the-valley shrubs are very popular ericaceous plants with attractive foliage and abundant flowering. Prelude is a Dutch cultivar with pink buds that open to lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers in early spring. Leaves are elongated, narrow, pointed, and mid green, young growths are orange and pink. It is perfect for a mixed border among dwarf conifers, for a large rockery, it will also look great in a large pot on a patio.
Pieris does not require much maintenance. But if you wish to have a perfect plant here are a few suggestions: cut off spent flower racemes to prevent them from making seeds. During late spring and summer check the leaves 2 or 3 times for tiny spots on the upper sides – they manifest insect attack whose miniature worms are living inside the leaves and produce sticky sap on the underneath of the leaves. In such case spray it with a suitable insecticide – one dose is usually enough. In winter remove heavy and wet snow from the top of the plant to prevent its fragile branches from bending or breaking.
Last update 09-01-2012
Ericaceous plants require soil that is light, acidic, and constantly moist (not wet). If your garden soil is too heavy do not dig a deep hole but make a mounded 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 for acid-loving plants are advised. Hardy to about -27°C.
