My first spring catalog has come. The excitement at our house is at a winter high — thinking of all of the green that comes with spring and the opportunities to add to my landscape. I have marked plants and dog-eared pages, dreamed and lusted after some of the most beautiful plants on the planet. Can you tell I am excited and cannot wait for spring?

I saw a beautiful shrub that I must have. It is called the Japanese Andromeda shrub, lily of the valley shrub, but its true name is Japanese Pieris shrub (Pieris japonica).

It’s an evergreen measuring up to 12 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide. It has an upright mounding habit with a deep green color. In late winter to early spring it puts forth clusters of 6-inch-long white or pink fragrant flowers (even in snow). The flowers are bell-shaped, much like the lily of the valley, hence the name.

This is amazing in itself, but I have only started. The spring’s new growth emerges pink to red to bronze in color. In bloom, it is very showy and looks like a rhododendron blooms.

This new growth eventually turns light green to deep shiny green as it matures. In the winter with a snowy backdrop, it looks almost black with reddish dormant flower buds.

Pieris does best in semi-shade spots to full shade, moist, well-drained soil, and no full afternoon sun, especially in winter to dry it out (winter burn). It lives in zones 5 to 7. Pieris branches to the ground and does not need pruning. Because of this, the soil must drain well to forgo root rot. It should be planted to avoid lots of wind. Fertilize with acid-loving food in early spring. It can be pruned if needed after blooming and deadheaded to promote more blooming.

Putting this shrub against the house on the northern exposure and in full shade is not a good idea. This can limit the plant’s growth and its ability to bloom in spring. Ensure the plant is getting some sun wherever it is planted.

Care should be taken to watch for fungal diseases, leaf spots, root rot, lace bugs, and chlorosis from high pH. This shrub is an acid lover. A huge plus for our area is its deer-resistance and long life. If you pay attention to the basics, this plant can live for up to 40 years. That is quite an investment for any landscape.

For photos, videos and other descriptions of this plant, go to http://go.osu.edu/japanesepieris

Hughes is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.