Pieris japonica Ralto Rose - Japanese Andromeda

Japanese Andromeda or Pieris japonica 'Ralto Rose', recently obtained in the Netherlands, is part of a series of compact bushes with highly coloured foliage and abundant flowering in early spring. Easy to grow in any acidic and moist soil, this very stable variety has evergreen blue-green foliage, edged in cream-white, and very beautiful flowering in pendulous clusters of small pale pink bells. Superb in a large pot on the terrace or in a shrub bed, always in partial shade.

Pieris belong to the family of Ericaceae, just like heathers and rhododendrons. They are ericaceous evergreen shrubs whose new shoots take on pink or coppery shades, accompanying pretty blooms in pendulous clusters of small bells. Undemanding, they appreciate a light, fresh and acidic soil, in partial shade or sun as long as it is not scorching. Varieties derived from Pieris japonica are hardy once established.

The variety of Japanese Andromeda 'Ralto Rose' is of compact form, with a slightly spreading bushy habit, reaching approximately 80 cm (32 in) in height with a spread of 1 m (3 ft) at maturity. Its small glossy, lanceolate leaves of a fairly dark blue-green have a cream-white border and are widely tinged with coppery orange in spring. The pale pink blooms are slightly fragrant, composed of cascading clusters adorned with small urn-shaped blooms, preceded by very decorative pink buds in winter. Flowering occurs from March to April.

'Ralto Rose' is slow-growing and requires little to no pruning, making it perfect for small gardens, in pots and containers, in rock gardens or as a border plant. A superb evergreen bush, essential for acidic soil, it will naturally blend with Rhododendrons, surrounded by a bed of hellebores, ferns and Pernettya.