The Lily-of-the-Valley shrub (Pieris japonica) is a beautiful evergreen for the shady garden. The common name, Lily-of-the-Valley shrub, comes from the clusters of white flowers that dangle from the tips of the branches in early spring. The flowers resemble the flowers of the lily-of-the-valley groundcover (Convallaria majalis). Some cultivars of the Lily-of-the-Valley shrub produce pink flowers. Japanese Andromeda is another common name for this shrub.
Clusters of white flowers dangle from the ends of branches of the Lily-of-the-Valley shrub.
Barbara H. Smith ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Native to Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and southeast China, the Lily-of-the-Valley shrub is in the heath family, Ericaceae, along with azaleas, rhododendrons, mountain laurels, blueberries, and cranberries. It thrives in similar conditions to azaleas and rhododendrons. This shrub is slow-growing and deer-resistant.
How to Grow and Care for Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub
USDA Plant hardiness zones: 4 to 8
Best Soil: Well-drained, rich in organic matter.
Sunlight: Part-shade is best. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. Tolerates more shade with reduced flowering.
Watering: These shallow-rooted shrubs should be watered regularly until they are established. After that, water when rainfall is low. Water-logged soils will lead to root rot.
Fertilizer: Fertilize Lily-of-the-Valley shrub in late spring to early summer with the same plant food as azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. It is not necessary to fertilize it every year.
Pruning: Prune selected branches soon after flowering. Look for damaged, dead, or diseased branches and prune those out. Avoid shearing with hedge trimmers.
Insects and Diseases: Susceptible to lace bugs, nematodes, scale, and mites. Overhead watering can lead to leaf spot fungus.
NOTE: The plant is poisonous to humans and pets when ingested.
Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub Cultivar Selection
Lily-of-the-Valley shrub grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. There are much smaller cultivars available today. Most cultivars have colorful new foliage in the spring. Some cultivars have variegated foliage.
Lily-of-the-Valley shrub (Pieris japonica) can grow tall depending on the cultivar.
Barbara H. Smith ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Cultivars with white flowers:
- Cavatine (Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’) is a very slow-growing dwarf. It reaches 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 ft wide in ten years.
Cavatine (Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’) has snow-white flowers in early spring.
Barbara H. Smith ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The compact size of Cavatine (Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’) makes it a good candidate for planting in small spaces.
Barbara H. Smith ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
- Mountain Snow™ (Pieris japonica ‘Planow’) grows 3 to 4 feet high by 2 to 3 feet wide. It is more heat tolerant than other cultivars. In spring, the new growth is bronze.
- Mountain Fire (Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’) is a taller cultivar reaching 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. It has bright red new growth and white flowers in early spring.
Cultivars with pink flowers:
- Interstella® (Pieris japonica ‘FARROWPJRF’) grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. It has bright pink flowers and reddish new growth.
- Passion Party™ Passion Frost (Pieris japonica ‘Ralto’) has variegated foliage and reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It has purplish-pink flowers.
There are more cultivars available. Check with your local garden centers and nurseries.
Additional resources:
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pieris-japonica/
- https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/pieris-japonica
- Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (6th ed., p. 1325). Stipes Publishing LLC.
