Japanese Andromeda - Pieris japonica Forest Flame

Pieris ‘Forest Flame’ is one of the most famous varieties of Japanese Andromeda. It owes its reputation to its great hardiness, its ease of cultivation in limestone-free soil, and also to its beautiful evergreen foliage whose colour varies throughout the seasons. This variety bears young red foliage, which changes to coral pink before turning green in summer. In early spring, it produces nectar-rich flowers, which somewhat resemble large clusters of white lilies-of-the-valley. It should be planted in partial shade, or even in shade, in a mixed and colourful hedge, as a backdrop for a heather bed, or even in a large container on a terrace.

Pieris belongs to the Ericaceous family, just like heathers and rhododendrons. They are slow-growing evergreen shrubs whose new shoots take on pink or coppery hues, accompanied by a lovely flowering of pendant clusters of small bells. They appreciate light, moist and acidic soil, which is occasionally dry, and a semi-shaded or sunny exposure as long as it is not scorching sun. Pieris japonica or Japanese Andromeda is native to southern Japan, the mountains of southeastern China (from 800 m to 1900m (2625 ft to 6233.6 ft) altitude), and Taiwan. Varieties derived from Pieris japonica are quite hardy once established. 

The variety 'Forest Flame' has a dense, slightly upright bushy habit, reaching approximately 1.50 m (4.9 ft) in height with a spread of 1.25 m (4.1 ft) at maturity. In spring, its young shoots at the tips of the branches are red, quickly fading to light pink and salmon, then turning pink and a slightly yellowish green. Its beautifully glossy, toothed and pointed leaves, lanceolate in shape, measure approximately 3 cm to 10 cm (1.2 in to 3.9 in) in length. The pure white and slightly fragrant flowering, composed of pendant clusters 5 cm to 12 cm (2 in to 4.7 in) long, adorned with small urns, is preceded by highly decorative buds in winter. It takes place from March to April. Note that a sunny exposure is inversely proportional to the flowering.

Slow-growing 'Forest Flame' does not require pruning, needs very little maintenance, and is perfectly suitable for small gardens. Plant alongside evergreen or deciduous acid-loving shrubs of medium size, which appreciate dappled light and non-limestone soils, such as Sarcococca, Loropetalum, Myrsine africana (in mild climates), boxwood, autumn camellias, hydrangeas, Cornus kousa, and Clethra; the choice is vast. It also grows very well in a large container that can be placed in a shaded position, at the corner of a terrace. It naturally pairs well with Rhododendrons, surrounded by a bed of hellebores, ferns, and Pernettya.