What hardiness zones is Pieris floribunda suitable for?

Pieris floribunda is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7.

What are the sun requirements for Pieris floribunda?

Pieris floribunda requires Part Shade.

How much water does Pieris floribunda need?

Pieris floribunda has Medium water needs.

Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Pieris floribunda

Mountain andromeda

Ericaceae

Appalachian Mountains — Virginia to Georgia; acidic rocky slopes, ridges, and mountain balds at 3,000-6,000 feet (900-1,800 m)

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At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitMounding

FoliageEvergreen

Height2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 m)

Width3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m)

Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 7

Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

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

Identified by dense white urn-shaped flowers in UPRIGHT terminal racemes on a compact mounding evergreen shrub with dark green dull-surfaced leaves. The upright raceme orientation distinguishes P. floribunda from P. japonica (pendant racemes, glossy leaves, bronze new growth). In Ericaceae spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 6'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

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-round

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade Full Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

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

late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans