Pieris taiwanensis Taiwanese lily-of-the-valley shrub
Rhodovit (ericoid)Pieris
The genus Pieris belongs to the heath family and comprises roughly seven species distributed across eastern Asia and North America, regions characterised by misty valleys, acidic soils and forests with a deep layer of humus. Fossil evidence is scarce but confirms that the genus is old and stable, without dramatic evolutionary shifts, which corresponds well with its present appearance and ecological requirements. It was described botanically by David Don (1799–1841) in the first third of the nineteenth century, at a time when European botany began to study woody plants from eastern Asia in a systematic way. It is worth noting that Pieris does not appear in the landmark work Species Plantarum of 1753, which described much of the botanical world at the time, because Linnaeus did not know the genus and it entered European science only several decades later. For a long time Pieris was the subject of minor disputes over its precise delimitation; some older works placed it close to Lyonia or Andromeda because of its similar bell-shaped flowers and leathery leaves. Its distinctiveness was eventually recognised, especially thanks to its characteristic alternation of growth phases, its toxic glycosides and its marked ability to thrive in acidic, nutrient-poor soils. In horticultural history the genus became well known mainly thanks to the Japanese and Taiwanese species, which became popular ornamental shrubs in European parks by the late nineteenth century.
Pieris taiwanensis, Taiwanese lily-of-the-valley shrub, comes from the mountainous regions of Taiwan, where it grows in lightly shaded, humid forests with acidic soil and a deep layer of humus. The species was described by Ernest Henry Wilson (1876–1930), one of the most important plant collectors of his era, who brought hundreds of new woody plants to Europe during his expeditions across Asia. He introduced it to the British public in 1918, and just four years later it received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its beauty, reliability and horticultural value. In garden culture it became sought‑after not only for its appearance, but also because it is one of the parents of many modern cultivars. In some cases its parentage is so intertwined with P. japonica that it is not entirely clear which species stands at the origin of a particular cultivar.
The species of Pieris taiwanensis is an elegant, evergreen shrub whose inflorescences – though similar to other pieris species – have their own easily recognisable character. From late summer it sets numerous buds in horizontal racemes, which open in spring into small, pure white, delicately scented flowers reminiscent of lily of the valley. While P. japonica produces mostly pendulous racemes, the Taiwanese pieris carries its flowering branches horizontally to slightly ascending, giving it an almost architectural look and creating attractive layers in the garden. The leaves are evergreen, leathery, short‑lanceolate and glossy. Their spring flush is brownish‑red to coppery, somewhat more muted than the bright red young foliage of the Japanese species, and matures to deep green. It grows slowly into a dense, sturdy shrub with a balanced habit, reaching roughly equal height and width of about 1.5 m, and it maintains a good shape even without pruning.
Last update 20-05-2022; 29-06-2026
Pieris does not require complicated care, but several precise steps strongly influence its condition. After flowering it is advisable to remove the spent inflorescences so that the plant does not produce fruit, which unnecessarily weakens and disfigures the shrub. Once or twice during the season check the upper surface of the leaves; if small pale speckles appear, the plant has been attacked by the rhododendron lace bug, whose larvae feed on the tissues and glue the underside of the leaves. In such a case a suitable insecticide is sufficient; ecological preparations based on natural oils also work well. In winter it is advisable to gently shake off heavy snow if the plant is within reach, so that the brittle branches do not bend or break. They generally do not require pruning, but they tolerate cutting into older, hard wood very well – either in early spring before the new flush, or after flowering.
Pieris is long-lived and trouble-free if planted correctly, similarly to rhododendrons. It is a heathland plant that requires acidic, light, well-drained and humus-rich soil. An ideal mixture is peat with decayed leaves or leaf mould, or fine bark chips with composted sawdust. In heavy, clayey or water-retentive soil it will not thrive – the leaves yellow and fall and the plant becomes more susceptible to pests and soil diseases. The planting hole should be wide, shallow and well drained, not deep; in clay subsoil the planting must be slightly raised. Watering and fertilising are the most frequent concerns: pieris likes moisture but of an airy kind, so frequent watering is not healthy. Its fine fibrous root system is easily damaged by artificial fertilisers and by excess water. If you feel like feeding, use fertilizer for leaves. Water sparingly and at longer intervals; it tolerates temporary drying much better than permanently wet or saturated soil. It is ideal to keep the plant continuously mulched, which stabilises moisture, temperature and soil structure. It is yet a bit hardier than P. japonica and withstands about -29 °C (USDA zone 5). It is suitable for year-round cultivation in outdoor planters with good drainage (no saucers).
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
