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© Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Pieris 'Brouwer's Beauty'
Brouwer's Beauty Pieris
Hybrid of garden origin ({P. floribunda} from southeastern United States × {P. japonica} from Japan); combines American bud hardiness with Japanese pendant flower form
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Overview
Pieris 'Brouwer's Beauty' is an evergreen shrub reaching 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall with a spread of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) and a compact, rounded to broadly upright habit. This hybrid between P. floribunda (native to the southeastern United States) and P. japonica (native to Japan) combines the bud hardiness of the American species with the pendant flower form of the Japanese species, and is hardy to USDA zone 5 — a full zone harder than most P. japonica cultivars. Flower buds form in autumn, darken to deep purplish-red through winter, and open to long pendant chains of urn-shaped flowers 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long in yellowish-green aging to white in March-April. Bloom duration is 3-4 weeks. Alternate narrowly elliptic leathery leaves 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm) long are glossy dark green; new growth emerges bronze to reddish-bronze before maturing. Growth rate is slow to moderate, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) per year. All parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested. The deep purplish-red winter flower buds are an ornamental feature from November through March in addition to the spring bloom.
Native Range
Pieris 'Brouwer's Beauty' is a hybrid of garden origin between P. floribunda (native to the southeastern United States in mountain forests) and P. japonica (native to Japan, eastern China, and Taiwan in mountain forests). The cultivar is propagated vegetatively.Suggested Uses
Used as a specimen, foundation shrub, or woodland garden element in zones 5-8 at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. Four to five months of deep purplish-red winter bud color is the distinguishing ornamental feature alongside the early-spring flower display. USDA zone 5 hardiness extends the planting range north of most P. japonica cultivars. Acidic soil is essential; the cultivar fails in alkaline soils. All parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested — not suited to sites with pets or small children who may browse plant material. Also not suited to alkaline soils, full sun in hot climates, or exposed windy sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 7 years
Bloom Information
Pendant chains of urn-shaped flowers 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, opening yellowish-green and aging to white, in March-April. Bloom duration is 3-4 weeks. Deep purplish-red flower buds are visible on the shrub from November through March as a winter ornamental feature before the flowers open.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pendant chains of urn-shaped flowers 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, yellowish-green opening and aging to white; March-April; deep purplish-red flower buds visible November through MarchFoliage Description
Glossy dark green leathery leaves; alternate narrowly elliptic 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm) long; new growth emerges bronze to reddish-bronzeGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in partial shade in moist, well-drained, acidic soil at pH 4.5-6.0. Hardy to USDA zone 5. Acidic soil is essential — chlorosis develops in alkaline soil and iron sulfate applications are only partially corrective. A sheltered position reduces damage from harsh winter winds and from late-spring frosts that can brown the emerging flower buds. Mulch the root zone 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) deep with pine bark or pine needles to hold moisture and maintain acidity. All parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested.Pruning
Prune immediately after flowering if any shaping is needed. Remove spent flower chains to redirect energy into vegetative growth. The naturally compact form needs little pruning. Avoid cutting back in late summer or autumn — this removes next year's flower buds.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons