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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 4 to 6 feet
Width: 4 to 6 feet
Flower color: Bright pink
Foliage color: Dark green, with new growth in bronze and red shades
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Water: Regular
Maintenance: Regular pruning after flowering to maintain shape
Growing zone: USDA Zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: The fragrant flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden

Shrubs

Pieris japonica ‘Katsura’

Katsura Japanese Pieris

Pieris japonica 'Katsura' is a stunning evergreen shrub with a compact, mounded growth habit. Its glossy, lance-shaped leaves emerge in shades of bronze and red, maturing to a dark green that provides year-round interest. In late winter to early spring, 'Katsura' produces clusters of small, bell-shaped pink flowers, adding a delightful fragrance to the garden and attracting pollinators.

This shrub thrives in acidic, well-draining soil and prefers partial shade to full sun.

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Water

Regular

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Containers
Deer Prone Areas

Companion plants

Yew · Oregon grape · Corydalis · Hosta · Anemone · Foamflower

Design tip

Create a strong late-winter color moment with ‘Katsura,’ when bright pink flowers stand out against glossy dark green foliage. Bronze and red new growth then continues the warm color palette after flowering, giving the shrub a natural visual transition into the growing season.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)