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Pieris floribunda
mountain andromeda
Appalachian Mountains — Virginia to Georgia; acidic rocky slopes, ridges, and mountain balds at 3,000-6,000 feet (900-1,800 m)
Overview
Pieris floribunda is mountain andromeda (mountain fetterbush), a mounding evergreen shrub growing 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall and 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) wide. White urn-shaped flowers in dense UPRIGHT terminal racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in March-April (3 weeks). Lightly fragrant. Dark green dull-surfaced leathery leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm). In Ericaceae spp.. Floribunda = abundantly flowering. Native to the Appalachian Mountains (Virginia to Georgia). Hardier (zone 4) and more compact (2-6 feet / 0.6-1.8 m) than P. japonica (zone 5, 8-12 feet / 2.4-3.6 m). The upright racemes (vs. pendant in P. japonica) are the primary distinction. No bronze new growth. Dull (not glossy) leaves. Contains grayanotoxin — all parts toxic. Lace bug (Stephanitis takeyai) is the primary insect pest. Requires acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0). Not drought-tolerant. Deer-resistant (toxicity). Zones 4-7. Part shade to full shade. Growth rate is slow.
Native Range
Native to the Appalachian Mountains — Virginia to Georgia. Found on acidic rocky slopes, ridges, and mountain balds at 3,000-6,000 feet (900-1,800 m).Suggested Uses
Grown in acidic woodland gardens, shade borders, and in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) with acidic mix, spaced 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m). Hardier than P. japonica. Appalachian native. All parts toxic. Zones 4-7.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Early spring (March-April). White urn-shaped flowers 0.25 inch (6 mm) in dense upright terminal racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). Lightly fragrant. 3 weeks. Bee-visited. Flower buds visible from fall through winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White, urn-shaped, 0.25 inch (6 mm), in dense UPRIGHT terminal racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm); March-April; lightly fragrant; the upright raceme orientation is the key distinction from P. japonica (pendant racemes)Foliage Description
Dark green, elliptic to ovate, 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm), leathery, dull (not glossy — unlike the glossy P. japonica); evergreen year-roundGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 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
Part shade to full shade (2-6 hours). Well-drained acidic soil pH 4.5-6.0. Not drought-tolerant. Lace bug is the primary pest (stippled yellowed foliage). Deadhead spent clusters (April). Contains grayanotoxin — all parts toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4-7.Pruning
Prune immediately after flowering (April) — flowers on previous year's wood. Snap off spent flower clusters. Shape as needed. The compact mounding habit requires minimal pruning.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons