Shrub
Japanese Pieris
Pieris japonica
Monrovia® varieties
Varieties We Carry
Mountain SnowPieris japonicaTikiPieris japonicaKatsuraPieris japonicaMonrovia
Sizes & Pricing
#2MonroviaFrom$54.95
3 galFrom$34.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 19.
LightPart Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size4-8 feet × 3-6 feet
About Japanese Pieris
Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub valued for drooping panicles of white, urn-shaped spring flowers and colorful bronze-red new growth. It is rated for zones 5–8 and is not reliably hardy in NE Florida zone 9b, where summer heat and humidity typically cause decline; best as a short-term container specimen. Starting at $34.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White, Pink
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Higher water demand in summer heat.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Requires partial shade with protection from afternoon sun; intense heat and sun in zone 9b cause leaf scorch and stress. Best grown in consistently cool, shaded spots — not recommended as a landscape shrub in NE Florida.
Water
Needs consistently moist, well-drained soil; drought stress and heat make this plant highly susceptible to lace bugs and spider mites in Florida's climate. Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture.
Soil & Fertilizer
Plant in moist, acidic (pH 4.5–6.0), well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Fertilize with an acid-forming azalea/camellia fertilizer in spring. Note: zone 9b is too warm for reliable performance — consider this a specialty/collector plant only.
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Common questions
Is Japanese Pieris a good plant for St. Augustine?
Japanese Pieris is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with low salt tolerance, reaching 4-8 feet × 3-6 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.