Pieris Japonica isn't blooming. Please help.

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
perenniallyme Jamaica Plain, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 27, 2010

A couple of years ago I bought 2 dwarf and one small pieris japonica for a new raised shrub bed which I filled with tree and shrub soil. They were blooming when I planted them, but haven't bloomed since, though they appear to be healthy. I have them planted among dwarf and small rhododendrons and azaleas, most of which have bloomed. The bed is in part-shade, though gets quite a bit of sun until the trees leaf out. Any ideas as to why they haven't bloomed the past 2 seasons, and what I can do to get them to bloom in the future?

Post #7741356
Quote
Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Apr 27, 2010

It's normal for newly planted shrubs and trees not to flower for a few years while they're building up a new root system.

Resin

Post #7741441
Quote
perenniallyme Jamaica Plain, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 27, 2010

Thanks, Resin. That gives me some hope for future blooms. I thought I might have done something wrong, such as not fertilized properly or - ? - as I'm not very experienced with shrubs.

Post #7741544
Quote
Apr 27, 2010

Perennially~ I planted my small pieris 3 years ago, mulched it with pine straw. I transplanted it to another site 2 years ago to avoid late pm shade. This is the very first year it bloomed! Yet it is still on the small size.

edited for silly spelling error!

This message was edited Apr 27, 2010 1:21 PM

Post #7741570
Quote
perenniallyme Jamaica Plain, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 27, 2010

Thanks, garden6. Maybe mine will bloom next year then. Sure hope so.

Post #7741884
Quote
Apr 27, 2010

I hope so, it's worth the wait!

Post #7742447
Quote
growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) Apr 27, 2010

There's a bit of info here: http://hcs.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/pi_onica.html
I believe they prefer an acidic soil - maybe sprinkling a very light layer of peat might slightly alter the ph. Just a thought.

Post #7744251
Quote
perenniallyme Jamaica Plain, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 28, 2010

Thanks, growin. I haven't tested the soil - maybe I ought to get a test kit, but they do seem very healthy with the exception of not flowering, and the rhodos/azaleas around them are happy and flowering, and I believe that they like acid soil as well.

Post #7744875
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Threads

Go to all Trees, Shrubs and Conifers threads
BACK TO TOP