{"product_id":"christmas-cheer-lily-of-the-valley-bush-pieris-japonica-christmas-cheer","title":"Christmas Cheer Lily of the Valley Bush - Pieris japonica 'Christmas Cheer'","description":"\u003cp\u003eChristmas Cheer Lily of the Valley Bush (\u003cem\u003ePieris japonica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Christmas Cheer') is an evergreen shrub that grows 1.5 to 2.5m tall and wide, with umbrellas of glossy green leaves. From late winter through spring it carries sprays of nectar-rich, urn-shaped white flowers tipped with pink, opening from deep pink buds very early in the season. It is a woodland-style shrub for shaded borders and pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers from late winter.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep pink buds open to white, pink-tipped urns while most gardens are still bare.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterest across the seasons.\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy evergreen foliage, bright new leaf colour and sprays of bell flowers give it more than one season of appeal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFood for bees.\u003c\/strong\u003e The nectar-rich flowers draw pollinators in when little else is out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy once established.\u003c\/strong\u003e Young plants need frost protection; after that it is hardy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA good companion.\u003c\/strong\u003e It looks right mixed with azaleas and camellias, and it can go under deciduous trees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShaded borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart in part to full shade, beneath deciduous trees or along a south facing fence, with leaf mould mulch around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeside azaleas and camellias.\u003c\/strong\u003e It shares their need for moist, acid, humus rich soil, so the three grow happily together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e If your soil is poor, dry or alkaline, plant it in a large pot of good quality potting mix instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Christmas Cheer Lily of the Valley Bush in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Part to full shade. It is frost hardy once established, but protect young plants from frost. It is happiest in mild to cool climates, and is less reliable in hot, humid gardens. All parts are poisonous if eaten, to people and pets, so keep it away from children, pets and livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, humus rich and acid soil. If yours is poor, dry or alkaline, grow it in a pot of good quality potting mix instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep the soil moist afterwards. Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune as required after flowering to maintain shape. It needs little more than a tidy of any wayward stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Christmas Cheer Lily of the Valley Bush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. The 140mm and 200mm pots arrive larger than the tube and give a fuller shrub sooner, while the tube is the economical starter. The pink in the flowers develops as the plant matures, so a young plant's first sprays may be paler.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube comes from our grower, so it is not always in stock. A sold out tube simply means none is available today, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/azalea\"\u003eBrowse azaleas to plant alongside\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/camellias\"\u003eCamellias for shaded gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/shade-gardening-with-brisbane-plant-nursery-guide\"\u003eWhat to plant in shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-lower-soil-ph-a-guide-for-healthier-gardens-and-lawns\"\u003eHow to lower soil pH\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets and children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. All parts of pieris are poisonous if eaten, to people and pets. Keep it away from children, pets and livestock, and do not plant it where they can chew it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the flowers white, not pink?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlower colour develops on more mature plants, so a young plant's first sprays may be paler. Over time the pink tips and deep pink buds become more obvious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat soil does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoist, humus rich, acid soil. If your soil is poor, dry or alkaline, grow it in a pot of good quality potting mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790868152639,"sku":"PIE-JAP-CHRIST-tube","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67790868218175,"sku":"PIE-JAP-CHRIST-140MM-P10","price":377.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67790868250943,"sku":"PIE-JAP-CHRIST-200MM-P6","price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/christmas-cheer-lily-of-the-valley-bush-pieris-japonica-christmas-cheer.jpg?v=1792210006","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/christmas-cheer-lily-of-the-valley-bush-pieris-japonica-christmas-cheer","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}