The Care of Pieris

Plant the pieris in a spot that gets at least partial shade -- four hours daily. The spot should be sheltered from wind and have soil with a pH of 5 to 6.

Do not water on weeks when you get 1 inch or more of rainfall. During dry periods, water the pieris at a rate of 1 gallon of water per each foot of height. For example, if your plant is 4 feet high, give it 4 gallons of water whenever the soil feels dry.

Apply an acidifying fertilizer to the soil around the plant in the fall. Follow package instructions for application.

Prune in the late spring, after the plant is finished flowering. Prune only to control the plant's size. Cut back overgrown branches to just above a side shoot. Cut out any dead or insect-infested wood.

Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to keep down weeds and help the soil maintain its moisture level. Refresh the mulch layer each winter.

Monitor the plants for signs of lacebug or mite infestations. Look for chewed holes in the leaves, yellowing of the leaves, leaf drop, or spots on the leaves. Apply an insecticidal soap according to the package directions to combat these insects.