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Pieris japonica 'Forest Flame' / Pot / 2L
Pieris japonica 'Forest Flame'
Confirmed format: 2 Litre Pot
Plant Highlights: Evergreen shrub with year-round structure and colour • Brilliant red spring foliage maturing through bronze to rich green • Elegant clusters of white bell-shaped flowers • Ideal for acidic soils and woodland-style planting
Overview
Pieris japonica 'Forest Flame' is a slow-growing evergreen shrub prized for its spectacular flush of vivid scarlet-red new growth each spring. As the season progresses, the young foliage gradually changes through shades of pink and bronze before maturing to glossy deep green, creating colour and interest well beyond its flowering period. In spring, graceful clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers hang beneath the branches, providing an elegant display that contrasts beautifully with the colourful new foliage. Its naturally neat, upright habit makes it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, mixed borders and sheltered courtyard planting. Like other pieris, 'Forest Flame' thrives in acidic, humus-rich soil and combines particularly well with rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and other ericaceous plants.
Why We Love It
The changing foliage is what makes 'Forest Flame' so distinctive. Few evergreen shrubs offer such a dramatic sequence of colour while also providing attractive spring flowers and year-round structure.
Plant Details
| Botanical Name | Pieris japonica 'Forest Flame' |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Japanese Andromeda 'Forest Flame' |
| Plant Type | Evergreen Shrub |
| Mature Height | Approximately 1.5–2.5 m |
| Mature Spread | Approximately 1.5–2 m |
| Flower Colour | White |
| Flowering Period | March–May |
| Foliage | Evergreen; bright red new growth maturing through bronze to glossy green |
| Position | Sun or partial shade in a sheltered position |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained, acidic (ericaceous) soil |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Hardiness | RHS H5 (−15°C to −10°C). Protect young foliage from late spring frosts. |
Growing Guide
| Soil & Planting | Plant in moist, well-drained acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Avoid chalky or alkaline soils, which can lead to poor growth and yellowing leaves. |
|---|---|
| Position & Light | Choose a sheltered position where the plant is protected from cold, drying winds. Grows well in full sun or partial shade, although plants in sunnier positions benefit from consistently moist soil. |
| Watering | Water regularly while establishing and during prolonged dry periods. Avoid allowing the soil to dry out completely. |
| Mulching | Mulching annually with ericaceous compost or leaf mould helps conserve moisture and maintain suitable soil conditions. |
| Pruning | Prune only if necessary immediately after flowering to maintain shape and remove any damaged or crossing stems. |
Perfect For
- Woodland gardens
- Mixed shrub borders
- Acid soil planting schemes
- Japanese-inspired gardens
- Large containers filled with ericaceous compost
- Year-round evergreen structure
Good to Know
- 'Forest Flame' develops its richest foliage colour in spring when fresh growth emerges. The vibrant red flush gradually softens through bronze before maturing to glossy green, giving the shrub a long season of ornamental interest.
- For the best performance, avoid allowing the soil to dry out completely and maintain acidic growing conditions throughout the year.
Product Information
| Supplied Format | 2 Litre Pot |
|---|---|
| Habit & Growth | Slow-growing, naturally compact evergreen shrub |
| Foliage Interest | Dramatic colourful spring foliage maturing to glossy green |
| Flowers | Elegant white bell-shaped flowers in spring |
| Soil Requirement | Best grown in moist, well-drained acidic soil |
| Versatility | Suitable for garden planting or large containers with ericaceous compost |
Size, material & use
- Product type
- Shrub
- Drainage
- Well-drained
- Flowering / harvest
- March–May
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