Pieris Katsura
Overview
Pieris 'Katsura' is a stunning evergreen shrub that brings year-round colour and elegance to any garden. This compact Japanese pieris variety is renowned for its exceptional seasonal display, featuring vibrant pink young foliage that gradually matures to rich green, complemented by delicate clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring.
Key Features
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Evergreen foliage: Provides structure and colour throughout the year
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Seasonal colour changes: New growth emerges in brilliant shades of pink and coral
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Spring flowering: Produces abundant clusters of small, bell-shaped white flowers
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Compact growth habit: Perfect for smaller gardens and container growing
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Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established
Plant Specifications
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Botanical name: Pieris japonica 'Katsura'
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Common names: Japanese Pieris, Lily-of-the-Valley Bush
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Plant type: Evergreen shrub
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Mature height: 0.5-1.0 metres
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Mature spread: 0.5-1.0 metres
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Growth rate: Slow to moderate
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Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy in most UK locations)
Seasonal Interest
Spring (March-May)
The most spectacular season for Pieris 'Katsura'. Clusters of sweetly scented, creamy-white bell-shaped flowers appear in drooping racemes. New foliage emerges in striking shades of bright pink and coral, creating a beautiful contrast against the mature green leaves.
Summer (June-August)
The pink young growth gradually transitions to fresh green, maintaining an attractive two-toned appearance. The shrub provides excellent structure and backdrop for other flowering plants.
Autumn (September-November)
Foliage remains evergreen and attractive, with some specimens showing subtle bronze tints as temperatures drop.
Winter (December-February)
Maintains its evergreen appearance, providing valuable winter structure. Flower buds begin forming for the following year's display.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
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Soil type: Moist, well-draining, humus-rich soil
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pH preference: Acidic to neutral (pH 4.5-6.5)
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Drainage: Essential - avoid waterlogged conditions
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Soil preparation: Incorporate plenty of organic matter such as leaf mould or well-rotted compost
Light Requirements
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Ideal position: Partial shade to dappled sunlight
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Sun tolerance: Can tolerate morning sun but benefits from afternoon shade
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Protection needed: Shelter from cold, drying winds and late frost
Watering Needs
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Establishment period: Regular watering for first 1-2 years
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Mature plants: Moderate water requirements
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Drought tolerance: Limited - maintain consistent moisture during dry periods
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Winter watering: Reduce frequency but don't allow to dry out completely
Planting Guide
When to Plant
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Best time: Autumn (September-November) or early spring (March-April)
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Avoid: Planting during extreme weather conditions or when soil is frozen
Planting Steps
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Choose a sheltered spot with partial shade and acidic soil
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Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth
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Mix excavated soil with equal parts ericaceous compost or leaf mould
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Place the plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot
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Backfill with the improved soil mixture and water thoroughly
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Apply a 5cm mulch of bark chips or leaf mould around the base
Spacing
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Individual specimens: Allow 1.2-1.5 metres between plants
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Group plantings: Space 1 metre apart for informal hedge or screen
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Container growing: Use containers at least 40cm wide and deep
Care and Maintenance
Pruning
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Timing: Immediately after flowering (May-June)
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Method: Light pruning only - remove spent flower heads and any damaged or crossing branches
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Important: Avoid hard pruning as pieris are slow to recover
Feeding
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Spring feeding: Apply ericaceous plant food in early spring
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Organic options: Well-rotted leaf mould or ericaceous compost as a spring mulch
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Frequency: Annual feeding is usually sufficient
Mulching
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Materials: Bark chips, leaf mould, or pine needles
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Depth: 5-7cm around the base, keeping clear of the stem
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Benefits: Retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and gradually improves soil
Pest and Disease Management
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Common issues: Generally pest and disease resistant
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Potential problems: Leaf spot in humid conditions, aphids occasionally
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Prevention: Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering
Companion Planting
Ideal Partners
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Rhododendrons and azaleas: Share similar growing requirements
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Camellias: Complementary flowering times and foliage
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Heathers: Provide ground cover and extend seasonal interest
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Hostas: Excellent foliage contrast in shadier areas
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Ferns: Add texture and thrive in similar conditions
Understory Plants
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Cyclamen coum: Early spring colour
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Hellebores: Winter and early spring flowers
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Ajuga: Spreading ground cover with spring flowers
Design Applications
Garden Styles
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Woodland gardens: Perfect for naturalised plantings
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Japanese-inspired gardens: Authentic choice for oriental themes
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Cottage gardens: Adds structure and seasonal interest
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Contemporary gardens: Architectural form suits modern designs
Practical Uses
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Specimen planting: Makes an excellent focal point
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Mixed borders: Provides evergreen backbone
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Container gardening: Ideal for patio displays
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Informal hedging: Creates attractive low screens
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring Tasks
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Apply ericaceous fertiliser
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Refresh mulch layer
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Deadhead spent flowers
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Check for winter damage
Summer Tasks
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Water during dry spells
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Monitor for pests
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Enjoy the foliage display
Autumn Tasks
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Reduce watering frequency
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Plant new specimens
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Apply autumn mulch
Winter Tasks
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Protect from harsh winds
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Check container plants don't dry out
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Plan companion plantings
Troubleshooting
Poor Flowering
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Cause: Usually due to alkaline soil or too much shade
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Solution: Test soil pH and improve with ericaceous compost; consider relocating
Leaf Yellowing
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Cause: Often indicates alkaline soil or waterlogging
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Solution: Improve drainage and add acidic organic matter
Slow Growth
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Cause: Natural characteristic, but can be exacerbated by poor soil or conditions
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Solution: Ensure optimal growing conditions and be patient
Summary
Pieris 'Katsura' is an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with outstanding seasonal appeal. Its combination of striking spring flowers, colourful new growth, and year-round structure makes it a valuable addition to any garden that can provide the acidic, well-draining conditions it prefers. With minimal care requirements and excellent disease resistance, this beautiful shrub will reward gardeners with many years of reliable performance and seasonal beauty.
Buying Shrubs from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we sell a variety of shrubs both evergreen and deciduous with a variety of flowering times throughout the year. At certain times of the year our shrubs you buy from us may not look like the images shown on our website when deciduous leaves have fallen, the shrub has finished flowering or has been trimmed back.
Some leaves on evergreen shrubs can be damaged in winter by frost or harsh winds but in spring new leaves will readily replace those damaged. This is quite normal on many evergreen varieties and is preferable to plants grown with excessive protection that show cold shock once planted out and establish less satisfactory initially.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
* Please Note: Shrubs in 20 litre pots and above might require a pallet delivery starting at £79.99 per pallet. Depending on the exact pot size and height it may be possible to get approximately 5 plants per pallet at no extra cost. The maximum height we can dispatch on a pallet is 2.0m, this includes the height of the pallet and pot.
Shrubs are deciduous or evergreen woody plants, and often provide fragrant flowers, berries and foliage. They are good for structural framework, and they can provide a wonderful shelter and food source for wildlife.
Planting and Conditions
Container grown shrubs can be grown at any time of year. It is a little known fact that shrubs planted in the autumn and winter will be easier to look after than those planted in the spring and summer, because they will have time to establish and become hardy in the cooler months.
Plant the shrub at the same depth as it was in its original pot. Planting too deeply can result in root and stem rot.
One of the biggest causes of death in new shrubs is drought stress, so keep it well watered until it’s established.
Make sure you loosen the soil prior to planting. Most shrubs are tolerant of most soil types as long as it is fairly well draining.
Most shrubs will grow happily in containers, but they will be much more demanding on feeding and watering than shrubs in the ground would be. They will also need potting on every couple of years so that they don’t suffocate or become stunted in their pot.
Aftercare and Pruning
Once established, shrubs generally do not require much water. However, at first they need careful, frequent watering and should not be left to dry out.
Shrubs in the ground are generally not demanding and in most cases, annual feeding with general purpose fertilizer will suffice. Shrubs in containers may need more feeding; usually from early spring until late summer.
Shrubs also benefit from mulching in order to supress weeds, conserve moisture and provide vital nutrients. Mulch also greatly improves soil conditions. Shrubs can be mulched in late winter, after fertiliser has been applied, but it can be mulched through autumn to late spring as long as the ground is damp.
All shrubs benefit from dead-heading once spent flowers become apparent. Rhododendrons and Lilac especially benefit from the removal of dead flowers.
Some shrubs may show signs of reverted growth or ‘sporting’. This is where random shoots of different leaves associated with the plant’s parentage begin to appear. Most commonly this is where plants with variegated leaves sprout pure green growths instead of variegated ones.
To control reversion, remove reverted shoots promptly to discourage them. Reverted shoots are usually much more vigorous than the variegated ones, and thus should be completely pruned out and cut back into wood containing variegated foliage.
Potential Issues
Although shrubs are usually very robust garden plants, they can sometimes start to decline with no apparent or obvious reason.
This will start with browning leaves, which could indicate plant stress due to lack of water or waterlogging, an establishment failure or, in the worst case scenario, honey fungus. Another cause of leaf browning is a high salt content in the soil. This could be a natural occurrence, especially if you live near the ocean, or it could be from over fertilisation.
To remedy a high salt content, cut back on fertiliser and step up your watering regime for the next few weeks. If you live by the ocean, this will be harder to remedy—but stepping up your watering will help to wash some of the salt away all the same.
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£16.99 |