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White winter bells of Pieris japonica 'Variegata' with leaves frosted in white. Photo - godrick/Shutterstock.com
This lovely shrub has a few common names including Andromeda, Temple Bells and Lily of the Valley shrub, though it’s not related to the true Lily of the Valley (Convalaria majalis) at all. You might also hear it called Pearl Flower – a reference to those lovely flowers.
What: winter-flowering shrub from China, Taiwan and Japan where it grows in mountain thickets.
How big: will eventually get to 4m x 2m, but slowly.
Where: best in a cool climate, and a position with free-draining soil and filtered shade rather than full sun. Give it a head start by
adding compost to the planting hole (steer clear of cow manure which may burn the fragile roots). This shrub must be kept moist so use a coarse mulch
to keep roots cool and happy.
Pearl pink bells. Photo - Zigzag Mountain Art/Shutterstock.com
Why: the exquisite pearl-drop flowers hang in opalescent clusters – a magnificent sight in full flower.
What else: This lovely shrub has a few common names including Lily of the Valley shrub, though it’s not related to the
true Lily of the Valley (Convalaria majalis) at all. You might also hear it called pearl flower – a reference to those lovely flowers.
Text: Sandra Ross