This Week It's Pieris

For a shrub with year-round interest, pick a pieris, says Graham Rice. Here are the ones to choose

- Graham Rice

LET’S get one thing out of the way first: namely that, like rhododendrons, pieris prefer acid soil. But if your soil is neutral or limy – don’t turn the page! Pieris are very accommodating shrubs.

First, they’re less particular than rhododendrons about the acidity of the soil; and, second, they’re among the finest of all shrubs for large containers. Previously called Andromeda (and sometimes still referred to as such), pieris are well-branched evergreens reaching up to 6½ft (2m) in 10 years. Some are more compact, while others will keep on growing – although they are easy to keep to size if that’s what you need.