Japanese Andromeda - Pieris Japonica Valley Valentine

The Pieris japonica 'Valley Valentine' is a variety of Japanese Andromeda that is interesting for its almost red flowering, a colour rarely seen in these bushes. It appears early in spring in the form of abundant, beautiful, pendulous clusters of dark pink flowers, highlighted by glossy dark green foliage. This is preceded by young shoots in shades of red and pink that are as decorative as the flowering. Interesting all year round, small in size, this evergreen bush is particularly well suited to container cultivation and small gardens. By illuminating the semi-shaded areas of the garden or terrace, this Andromeda offers a charming and colourful spectacle throughout the year!

Pieris japonica, commonly known as Japanese Andromeda, is native to eastern China, Japan, and Taiwan. It belongs to the Ericaceae family. The cultivar 'Valley Valentine' was bred in 1972 in the United States by Dr. Robert L. Ticknor. Since then, it has been very successful thanks to its uncommon cascades of pink-red flowers, earning it the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit. It has a rather slow growth rate, eventually forming a dense and compact rounded bush, measuring on average 1.20m (3.3ft) in height and 1m (3.3ft) in width. It has beautiful evergreen foliage, composed of long, shiny, lanceolate, pointed leaves, slightly dentate along the edges, measuring up to 10cm (3.9in) long. The young shoots are coppery red in colour, then the leaves turn dark green. The clusters of flower buds, dark pink tinged with white at the base, appear from early winter, enhancing the decorative effect of this Japanese Andromeda during a dull season. In March-April, it is covered with a multitude of pendulous clusters, 10 to 15cm (5.9in) long, composed of delicate bell-shaped flowers, purple-pink in colour, resembling lily-of-the-valley flowers. The flowers exude a sweet honey scent.

Pieris japonica is a hardy shrub, loving acidic and moist soils, and semi-shaded exposure. Due to its compact growth and extremely decorative appearance throughout the seasons, this 'Valley Valentine' Japanese Andromeda is perfectly suited for container cultivation, on a semi-shaded terrace, patio, or balcony. It will also work under the cover of large trees, along partially shaded shrubs, as a low hedge, in a shaded rock garden, and in a bed of acid-loving shrubs, with plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Nandina, etc. With its generous and colourful flowering, it will be sensational when combined with spring bulbs. This Japanese Andromeda will be a beautiful ally to animate the garden throughout the year, even in winter. It has its rightful place in a Japanese-style garden!