Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'
Mountain Fire Pieris
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 4 to 8 feet
- Width
- 3 to 6 feet
- Flower color
- White
- Foliage color
- New growth emerges with fiery red, matures to a deep green, and darkens in winter
- Bloom time
- Spring
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Keep soil moist but well-drained
- Maintenance
- Prune after blooming to remove spent flowers
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- The flowers attract pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies
About this plant
Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' is an evergreen shrub valued for its vibrant seasonal changes. In spring, the new growth emerges with a bright red color, which fades to dark green as the season progresses. During the winter months, the leaves take on deep red to burgundy tones, often appearing nearly black in colder temperatures. In addition to its colorful foliage, 'Mountain Fire' produces clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers in early spring.
Native to Japan, 'Mountain Fire' thrives in semi-shaded, sheltered locations and is valued for its resistance to frost. Its elegant growth habit and colorful foliage make it an excellent choice for ornamental plantings. Its dramatic foliage transitions provide strong visual contrast alongside other evergreen shrubs and shade-loving perennials throughout the year.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Containers · Deer Prone Areas
Companion plants
Aucuba · Hellebore · Brunnera · Japanese maple · Lungwort · Autumn fern
Design tip
Think of ‘Mountain Fire’ as a year-round source of foliage color rather than primarily a flowering shrub. Fiery red spring growth matures to deep green before taking on burgundy tones in winter, creating a sequence of color changes that keeps the planting visually active across the seasons.
