Pieris japonica, also called a Japanese pieris, is an evergreen shrub with showy pink flowers and glossy green leaves that provides sweet-scented flowers in your home landscape in late winter and early spring. Growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 8, this flowering shrub can grow up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It prefers acidic soil and a sunny area with afternoon shade. If you notice your Pieris japonica is not growing well in its present location, transplant it to a more suitable location after it has finished blooming.

  • Pieris japonica, also called a Japanese pieris, is an evergreen shrub with showy pink flowers and glossy green leaves that provides sweet-scented flowers in your home landscape in late winter and early spring.
  • If you notice your Pieris japonica is not growing well in its present location, transplant it to a more suitable location after it has finished blooming.

Water the Pieris japonica in its present location two to three days before removing.

Find a new location in your home garden or landscape that has well-drained soil with full sun with some shade.

Remove the shrub by digging a trench 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide in order to remove the whole root ball. Lift carefully, placing the shovel under the root ball to avoid damaging the roots.

Dig a hole in the new site three times the width of the root ball. Place the shrub in the hole at ground level and backfill, tamping the soil firmly around the roots. Water thoroughly. Water 1 inch a week throughout the growing season to establish the shrub in its new location.

Apply a 3- to 4-inch layer of pine needles around the Pieris japonica shrub to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing.