What plant is this?

[HoofyLoo]

Anyone know what plant this is please?


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[Martin H]

Looks like a Pieris ?

[Methe]

Pieris japonica

[WendyC]

Agreed. One of my least favourite plants. Lots of people plant them in their gardens round here but I don't think our soil is quite acid enough for them so there are lots of sickly ones, limping on til they finally keel over!

[HoofyLoo]

Thank you! I've been given it and didn't have a clue what is was!


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[HoofyLoo]

Oh dear Wendy. I have sandy soil that I pop some chicken poo compost in every now and again. How do I know if the soil is acidic enough? I don't want a limp plant!


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[Two_Sheds]

chicken poo is slightly alkaline, so you'd be better off using leafmould or ericaceous compost

[HoofyLoo]

Ahhh righto. I've got lots of ericaceous compost. So am I best keeping this in a pot with just that compost or will digging it into the ground do?


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[robmarston]

I have one if these and love it. I've had it a few years and potted it up each year. Ericacious compost is a must otherwise, as been said it will be limp and straggly and rather horrid. However at its best it is lovely. It is evergreen and in Feb and March it is covered in clusters of small, scented bell like flowers. When these drop off all new leaf growth comes through in red fading to green. Mine is now in a huge pot and in pride of place. Keep it in a pot, give it good drainage, sheltered spot, sun to part shade and ericacious compost. Hope you love it as much as I do mine.


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[Kristen]

How do I know if the soil is acidic enough?

Any Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias in gardens around you? If not then you are not acid enough. (You can buy little test tube test kits if you want to check the pH of your soil)

Ahhh righto. I've got lots of ericaceous compost. So am I best keeping this in a pot with just that compost or will digging it into the ground do?

If soil not acid enough then keep it in a pot (and only use ericaceous compost & fertiliser). Might be worth also applying Sequestered Iron once a year or so.