Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Pieris japonica 'Valley Valentine'
Valley Valentine Pieris
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 5 to 7 feet
- Width
- 5 to 7 feet
- Flower color
- Deep red, turning pink as they mature
- Foliage color
- Evergreen with bronze-red new growth
- Bloom time
- Late winter to early spring
- Light
- Part shade
- Water
- Average water; prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil
- Maintenance
- Low; remove spent flowers after bloom
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators; deer-resistant
About this plant
Pieris japonica 'Valley Valentine' is a beautiful evergreen shrub known for its deep red flower buds that develop in late fall and open into pendant clusters of dark pink flowers in late winter to early spring. These blooms provide a welcome burst of color during the cooler months, enhancing gardens and landscapes with their soft elegance.
This cultivar is particularly notable for its bronzy-red new foliage, which emerges in spring, adding seasonal interest and contrast to the plant's year-round dark green leaves. Originating from Japan, 'Valley Valentine' is highly regarded for its compact growth habit and its adaptability to partial shade, making it a popular choice for foundation plantings, woodland gardens, or mixed borders.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Containers · Deer Prone Areas
Companion plants
Holly · Pulmonaria · Oxalis · Japanese aralia · Celandine · Coral bells
Design tip
Carry rich color through the quieter months with ‘Valley Valentine,’ whose deep red buds develop in fall and remain ornamental before opening into dark pink flowers. Bronzy-red new foliage follows in spring, creating a long sequence of warm color against the dark evergreen leaves.
