Choosing Pieris For Containers: Important Considerations To Keep Your Plants Healthy
Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
IN THIS GUIDE
Pieris are attractive plants that provide interest over different seasons with their foliage and flowers.
They are evergreen and compact in form, making them well-suited to a range of locations.
As members of the Ericaceae plant family, pieris prefer acidic conditions and can be a good choice if you have acidic soil where you live.
If you do not, you might wonder whether you can grow pieris in pots.
Can Pieris Be Grown In Pots?
The good news is that many pieris cultivars are ideally suited to growing in containers when these containers are filled with a suitable growing medium and provided with the correct care.
Common Potted Varieties
Some small to medium-sized pieris that could be good options for container growing include:
- P. japonica ‘Cavatine’
- P. japonica ‘Debutante’
- P. japonica ‘Flaming Silver’
- P. japonica ‘Pink Delight’
- P. japonica ‘Prelude’
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other cultivars that can also potentially work well in pots.
Choosing Containers For Pieris
Pieris plants are shrubs, even if they are compact, so you will need to choose a reasonably large container.
One compact pieris growing on its own can grow in a pot around 40cm across, but if you are creating a mixed display, you might wish to use a larger container.
It is important to choose a sturdy pot that can support the pieris and, if you are choosing a taller cultivar, your container should be heavy enough not to topple over.
Another very important consideration when choosing a container for pieris is that it should have good drainage at the base.
These shrubs typically cannot cope with waterlogged soil and need moist but well-drained conditions.
Choosing Suitable Compost
One of the most important things when growing pieris in containers is the medium you choose.
Remember that these are acid-loving plants and an ericaceous compost is required.
For drainage, it can be a good idea to add 20% grit by volume to your ericaceous compost mix, especially in areas with higher rainfall and damper conditions.
“For a shrub like Pieris, John Innes ericaceous compost is ideal, as it is formulated for container growing,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“It will have a blend with sand for drainage, but additional grit or fine bark will help to open up the compost and aid drainage further.
“As time goes on, an ericaceous liquid feed will be needed as this is formulated especially for lime-hating plants to access.”
Potting Up Pieris
Once you have purchased or sourced your pieris, prepare your new container with a little compost mix at the base.
Place the plant into the container, making sure that it is at the same depth that it was in its previous pot, then fill in more of the ericaceous soil around the sides of the roots, firming gently to avoid air pockets.
Water in well, making sure excess water drains away freely, then mulch around the plant.
If you are creating a mixed display, you might wish to add other ericaceous plants that like similar conditions, such as heathers.
Ongoing Potted Pieris Care
Place your pieris in a container in full sun or partial shade.
Water consistently through dry spells in summer, making sure that your shrub does not entirely dry out.
Check to ensure adequate drainage, especially throughout the colder and wetter months.
In cold areas, protect new growth against frosts in spring with a horticultural fleece or another form of protection.
Each spring, replenish the mulch around the top of the container and feed your plant with an organic, ericaceous feed to promote healthy growth and flowering.
