Lily of the Valley Bush
'Temple Bells' is a compact, upright, evergreen shrub with oblong to lance-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves, dark red when young in spring, and panicles of fragrant, urn-shaped, white flowers in late spring. Needs acidic soil conditions, and a partly shaded position. Grows to 1.5 x 1m
The flowers of Pieris have a classic beauty to them, which is why they have been loved by generations of gardeners. ‘Temple Bells’ is a delight, with its large clusters of ivory-white flowers in spring. The new foliage colours are very appealing too, starting with apricot-bronze tones then deepening to reddish-bronze before finally changing to deep green by summer. Those new spring growths are susceptible to heavy frosts, so ‘Temple bells’ will need a sheltered spot where frosts are hard.
'Temple Bells’, and other Pieris, enjoy the same conditions as rhododendrons and they look very good together. In a dappled shade garden Pieris ‘Temple Bells’ is a good companion too for shade loving perennials, such as Veronica ‘Oxford Blue’, hostas, silvery foliage pulmonarias and heucheras.