Pieris japonica 'Glowing Hearts’

Pieris japonica 'Glowing Hearts': Scarlet New Growth and Cascading Pink Bells

Pieris japonica 'Glowing Hearts' brings vivid colour to evergreen plantings, starting with new foliage that emerges in glowing scarlet with splashes of chartreuse. In early spring, cascading racemes of pink, bell-shaped flowers add a soft, romantic bloom display that contrasts beautifully with the bold leaves. The mounding habit stays full and handsome year-round, making it a strong foundation shrub with real seasonal highlights. It’s an eye-catching broadleaf evergreen that keeps a garden looking polished, even in the shoulder seasons.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 5’
• Spread: 5’
• Flower Colour: Pink
• Flowering Period: Early spring
• Foliage: Glossy evergreen foliage; new growth emerges vivid scarlet with splashes of chartreuse
• Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter

Uses and Benefits: A standout for foundation plantings, evergreen groupings, and woodland-edge borders where year-round structure matters. The colourful new growth brightens shaded or mixed shrub beds, while the early spring flowers add welcome seasonal interest when little else is blooming. Use it as a specimen in a prominent spot, or plant in repeats for a rich evergreen rhythm that still feels lively in spring.

Care Instructions: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during establishment and summer dry spells, and mulch to protect roots and conserve moisture. Plant in acidic, organic-rich soil for best vigour and leaf colour, and avoid sites with standing water or alkaline conditions. Prune lightly right after flowering if shaping is needed, focusing on maintaining its natural mounded form. In exposed areas, some shelter from harsh winter wind helps keep foliage looking its best.

History: Pieris japonica is a classic broadleaf evergreen from eastern Asia, long valued for its spring flower chains and reliable year-round presence. 'Glowing Hearts' was selected for especially vivid, multi-toned new growth and a strong, mounding habit, bringing a brighter, more contemporary look to traditional andromeda plantings.

Final Thoughts: If you want evergreen structure with a real spring spotlight, Glowing Hearts delivers bold new foliage and graceful pink bloom in a shrub that looks finished in every season.