Japanese Pieris

• Pieris japonica "Japanese Pieris" is the most common and frequently grown pieris shrub. Nicknamed lily-of-the-valley shrub for the attractive and fragrant clusters of bell-shaped flowers that appear in the spring, Japanese pieris is the species most often hybrided. Hybrid Japanese pieris shrubs can have a range of flower color from snow white to deep magenta. The elliptical 2- to 3-inch leaves may vary in new growth color from lime green to fiery red, or be variegated with creamy white.
  
  

Mountain Pieris

• "Mountain pieris" (Pieris floribunda) has shorter, 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-inch, leaves than other pieris species and the smaller flower cluster grows upright instead of drooping downward. A mature mountain pieris shrub is smaller than the Japanese pieris, which can grow to 12 feet high, while the mountain pieris grows under 6 feet. New growth foliage appears bronze color, then turns to deep green. Mountain pieris is more tolerant of conditions than Japanese pieris, thriving in heat and resistant to lacebugs, a common pest of other pieris species.
  
  

Himalaya Pieris

• Larger leafed Pieris formosa "Himalaya pieris" have the longest leaves of the various pieris species, growing up to 6 inches in length, shaped elongated with tiny tooth margins. New leaf growth is reddish, turning cream color and finally rich, shiny green. The spring flowers are in clusters of white to pale pink with a slight upward growth. Himalaya pieris prefers cooler temperatures and climate and often grows in northwestern United States landscapes.
  
  

Chinese Pieris

• "Chinese pieris" (Pieris forrestii) is often referred to as an alternative name for the Himalaya pieris, but in actuality, the Chinese pieris is a hybrid cross between the Himalaya and the Japanese pieris. The shrub has similar flower clusters of the Japanese pieris, but larger, and the very long elongated leaves of the Himalaya pieris. New growth foliage of the Chinese pieris tend to be brilliant bright red, making it quite appealing in springtime landscapes. Like the Himalaya species of pieris, Chinese pieris prefers to grow in cooler climates.