Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Pieris japonica 'Flaming Silver'
Flaming Silver Pieris
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 3 to 5 feet
- Width
- 3 to 5 feet
- Flower color
- White, bell-shaped blooms
- Foliage color
- Variegated with red, pink, and green hues, changing over time
- Bloom time
- Early spring
- Light
- Prefers partial to full shade
- Water
- Regular
- Maintenance
- Low; requires occasional pruning to maintain shape and remove dead flowers
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6a to 10b
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and hummingbirds
About this plant
Pieris japonica 'Flaming Silver' is an evergreen shrub that is known for its distinctive variegated foliage. New growth emerges in shades of red with pink margins, later transitioning to a combination of dark green, white, and pink hues. As spring arrives, the plant produces clusters of fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers. The foliage provides year-round interest, with the spring growth adding vibrant color before the leaves mature into a more subdued mix of green and white.
This cultivar is a hybrid originating from Japan, where Pieris japonica is commonly found in woodland environments. 'Flaming Silver' is a more vigorous grower compared to some other variegated varieties, and it has become popular for its ability to thrive in partial shade, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Containers · Deer Prone Areas
Companion plants
Mahonia · Rodgersia · Primrose · Japanese aralia · Bergenia · Maidenhair fern
Design tip
Against darker evergreen foliage, ‘Flaming Silver’ can brighten the composition even when it is not in bloom. Its shifting mix of red, pink, cream, and green creates changing color through the seasons, with white spring flowers adding another layer without competing with the variegation.
