Pieris japonica

I like this plant for its shape, but also for its growth habit. The Pieris japonica is always interesting at a number of different times between fall and summer. The flower buds develop in late fall, covering much of the plant until early spring, when the bell shaped flowers bloom, open hanging down. The beautiful cascading flowers, which can be white, pink or red, are followed by an explosive growth of colorful new red foliage, then as the new evergreen leaves mature, they turn a bright dark green. The pieris japonica can grow as high as ten feet, unless it is pruned regularly.

Pieris japonica

Soil Preparation and Amendments for the 10$ Hole

Soil prep is one of the most important things that can be done when planting. This will help with moisture retention, nutrient retention and root development of all plants.

When you excavate for a new plant, no matter what size plant, mix with the native soil your amendments.

Amendments are peat moss, compost, sand (preferrably sharp sand), top soil, fertilizer and even moisture absorb crystals.

Amendment amounts per plant on average (adjust according to size of root ball): ~ approximately 3-5 pounds of spagnum peat moss ~2-3 heaping shovelfulls of compost, top soil and sharp sand (not beach sand) ~ approximately 2 cups of fertilizer.

Add a little more sand, if you have clay soil.

Add 3/4ths of the fertilizer to the amended soil and reserve the final 1/4th to sprinkle over the top of the root ball.

Do NOT put amended soil over the top of the rootball. Rather, apply a layer of mulch on the top of the rootball. This will prevent suffocation if the plant was planted too deep. 

With the excavated soil in a pile next to the planting hole, mix your amendments into the pile. After mixing, backfill your plants, compacting the soil around the root ball of the plant with your hands, end of the shovel, pry bar knob end, or even a 2×4 scrape. Compacting the soil around the root ball is very important to remove air pockets. Also, fill the hole with water to help settle the new soil.

Also important before planting, I cut slits in the burlap of large balled & burlaped trees and shrubs. For smaller balled & burlaped plants, I completely remove the burlap. Attending the burlap speeds the plants ability to spread roots and grow in its new spot. Girdling of the trunk can occur if the ropes are left on.