Pieris are native to Japan and much of southeast Asia and make a wonderful contribution to spring colour.
'Valley Valentine' is a particularly beautiful, RHS award winning, evergreen shrub, not so commonly offered as other varieties. It produces large panicles of flowers from late autumn which open in spring to form drooping casades of small very deep pink, almost red, long lasting flowers with white at the petal base. In addition striking red new growths cover the plant as the flowers finish in spring and occasionally intermittently through the summer.
Pieris are very similar to Rhododendrons and require an acid or neutral lime free soil preferably one that is moist but with good drainage. As the new growth can be damaged by late frosts a protected location or one slightly over hung is best but not essential to the survival of the plant which is quite hardy. A delightful plant which can be used in a mixed planting or as a stand alone specimen in the garden or can easily be grown in a pot.