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Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'

Mountain Fire Pieris

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.

Light

Partial to full shade

Water

Keep soil moist but well-drained

Bloom time

Spring

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)