Mountain Pieris is Fragrant Flowering Shrub

The Mountain Pieris (Pieris floribunda) is a flowering shrub that does well in sun or light shade and is at home in Zones 4 through 7. The flowers appear in clusters called panicles, 2-4 inches long, starting in late March or April and lasting through May. The visual effect is ribbons of small, white, fragrant flowers. The shrub is also known by the names fetterbush, mountain fetterbush, and mountain andromeda.

Greenish-white flower buds form in the late summer and early fall and add winter interest in areas with little or no snow cover. Any late season pruning will sacrifice the next spring's flowers. This shrub does well with little or no pruning if adequate growing space is available. Blooms can be deadheaded after they fade.

The flowers are pollinated by bees. The fruit are tiny, 3 mm or 1/10 inch, and appear in clusters. The seeds ripen in late autumn and can be stored for several years if kept in an air-tight container. Viability, however, is low.

The Mountain Pieris grows to 3-6 feet in height and width. This flowering shrub enjoys full sun. It will tolerate partial shade which adds to its appeal in a shady setting or woodland garden. The solid, medium green leaf color makes this shrub a good background for companion plants in a border garden or shrub garden. A good companion plant would be rhododendron. Mountain Pieris should be planted in rich, moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acid. If mulch is used, peat or composted pine needles will help maintain the low pH of the soil. Organic matter should be used as a top dressing on a periodic basis.

This flowering shrub does not do well in extreme temperatures or humidity and some experts recommend it only as far south as Zone 6. It is evergreen in milder climates. The Mountain Pieris is susceptible to strong winds and should be planted in a sheltered location. Winter protection may be needed.

Mountain Pieris is a slow grower, so patience is required if the plant is purchased young. The mature shrub has an overall mounded shape and is highly resistant to lacebug infestations. Propagation is by seed or rooted cuttings, but is difficult. This plant tends to be more costly to buy. Several cultivators are available including 'Brouwer's Beauty', 'Eco-Snowball', 'Spring Snow', and 'Karenoma'.

This flowering shrub is native to the mountainous region of the United States starting from West Virginia and moving southward into northern Georgia.

Sources
Mountain Pieris, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, http://urbanext.illinois.edu/ShrubSelector/detail_plant.cfm?PlantID=355
Pieris floribunda, North Carolina State University, http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/pieris_floribunda.html
Pieris floribunda, Michigan State University, http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/modzz/00001099.html
Pieris floribunda by Mark C. Starrett and Frank A. Blazich, USDA Forest Service, http://www.nsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/Pieris.pdf