Lily of the Valley Bush

Lily of the Valley Bush (Pieris japonica) earns its place twice over. Through late winter and early spring it hangs long sprays of small white bells across the whole shrub, and as those finish the new growth pushes out bronze red, bright enough to read from the far end of the garden. It settles at about 2m tall and 1.5m wide, slowly, so it stays in scale in a small garden.

Why you'll love it

• Two seasons in one shrub. White bell flowers in late winter, then a flush of red new leaves in spring. Few evergreens give you both.
• Genuinely cold hardy. Frost hardy and at its best in cool temperate gardens, including tableland and southern districts where warm climate shrubs sulk.
• Slow and predictable. It takes years to reach 2m, so it will not outgrow its spot or need constant cutting back.
• Evergreen structure. The leaves stay on all year, so the shrub still does a job through winter rather than becoming bare sticks.

Where it works best

Feature planting in shade. A single plant under the light shade of a deciduous tree is the classic use, where the flowers and red growth stand out against darker foliage.

Informal hedging. Plant 1m apart for a soft low hedge. It is too slow for a formal clipped line, but at that spacing it knits into an unbroken evergreen band.

Pots and small gardens. A pot 400mm or wider lets you supply the acidic mix it wants when garden soil is against you.

Growing lily of the valley bush in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade, ideally morning sun with protection from hot afternoon glare. It suits cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. Be realistic about the limit: humid subtropical and tropical summers are too much for it, however good the soil is.

Soil. Acidic, humus rich and free draining. Work compost and aged pine bark through the bed, keep lime well away, and mulch 75mm deep.

Water and feed. The roots are fine and near the surface, so it dislikes drying out completely. Water deeply through dry spells rather than lightly and often. Feed an azalea and camellia fertiliser in early spring, straight after flowering.

Pruning. Very little needed. Snip the spent flower trusses off once they brown, which pushes energy into the new red growth, and avoid cutting into old bare wood.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes three ways: tube stock, 140mm in a pack of ten, or 200mm in a pack of six. Tubes and 140mm plants are young and single stemmed, and given how slowly this shrub grows, expect three to four years before they look the part. The 200mm plants suit a hedge line that reads as planted from day one.

Plants are packed upright and travel well, though a little leaf drop after transit is normal. Expect a quiet first season, then steady growth. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, under our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Learn how to lower soil pH before planting an acid lover.
• Browse the full shrub range.
• Pair it with a camellia, which wants the same soil and aspect.
• See what else suits partial shade.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row. It is slow, so allow three to four years for the row to close, and do not plant tighter hoping to speed that up.

Is it toxic to pets?

Yes. Every part of the plant is toxic if eaten, to pets and to people. That makes it a poor choice for a paddock boundary or a yard with a dog that chews plants.

Will it grow in a warm humid garden?

Not well. It is listed for cool and warm temperate climates, and humid subtropical summers cause leaf problems and poor flowering. An azalea gives a similar look there with less struggle.