With bright red leaf shoots and creamy white bell flowers, the Japanese lavender heather has a magical flair. As a picturesque solitaire or lush hedge, the shadow bell becomes a decorative highlight in partially shaded to shady locations. Significant aspects of successful cultivation are examined in more detail here.
How do you care for Japanese lavender heather?
The Japanese lavender heather (Pieris japonica) is an evergreen ornamental tree with red leaf shoots and creamy white bell flowers. It thrives best in partially shaded locations with loose, slightly acidic and nutrient-poor soil. Regular watering and organic fertilization support the he alth and abundance of flowers of the plant.
Planting Japanese lavender heather correctly
So that the picturesque appearance of shadow bells is a success, set the course with the right planting. Look for a partially shaded location with loose, slightly acidic and not too nutritious soil. This is how you proceed professionally:
- Dig a pit with twice the volume of the root ball
- Unpot the shadow bell and insert it in the middle
- Dig in the root ball with pure rhododendron or ericaceous soil
- Alternatively, enrich half of the excavation with acidic leaf and needle compost
Insert Japanese lavender heather as deeply as it was previously cared for in the nursery pot. Finally, water generously with collected rainwater.
Care tips
Japanese lavender heather shows off the full spectrum of its strengths when it is given this care:
- Never let the root area dry out
- Use only low-lime water
- Fertilize organically every 2-3 weeks from March to July
- Cleaning up wilted flowers
- Carry out main pruning in June/July
Regardless of winter hardiness, light winter protection has proven useful for shadow bells. A layer of leaves on the root disc and a cover made of breathable fleece protect the flower beauty from the rigors of a harsh winter.read more
Which location is suitable?
They play all the trump cards to shadow bells if the location is in partial shade. You will have less fun with the ornamental tree under the blazing sun and in permanent shade. So that the pretty flowers are not ruffled by the spring wind, we recommend a sheltered location in front of a wall or in the security of towering rhododendrons.
The correct planting distance
While other ornamental trees tend to grow taller, the shadow bell gains width at the same time. Pay attention to this fact when choosing the planting distance. With a growth height and width of 30-50 cm, the adequate distance is 40 cm. If the lavender heather stretches 80-100 cm in height and width, you are correct with a distance of 90 cm. To form a dense hedge of shadow bells, shorten these values by a third.
What soil does the plant need?
If the soil meets the following criteria, you offer the shadow bell ideal conditions for colorful shoots, abundant flowers and a shiny green foliage:
- Permeable, humic and low in nutrients
- Fresh, moist and loose, without the risk of waterlogging
- Acidic pH value from 4.2 to 5.5
When is flowering time?
The main flowering of shadow bells occurs in the months of April and May. Depending on the weather, in mild years you can look forward to the first bell flowers as early as March, which attract everyone's attention until June. To prevent the flowers from running out of steam prematurely, cut off wilted inflorescences regularly.
Cut Japanese lavender heather correctly
With an annual increase of 5 to 15 cm, the growth of shadow bells proceeds smoothly. Nevertheless, we recommend an annual shape and maintenance pruning so that the bushy, compact habit and the abundance of flowers are preserved. How to cut lavender heather correctly:
- Cut off wilted flowers to make room for rebloom
- Immediately after the end of the flowering period, shorten shoots that are too long
- Make each cut just above an outward-facing, sleeping eye
- Thoroughly thin out the wood by cutting off dead wood at the base
Please consider the high toxic content and wear protective gloves and long-sleeved clothing.
Watering Japanese lavender heather
Don't let a shade bell thirst, because when drought stress occurs, the ornamental tree will indignantly shed its evergreen foliage. Water every season as soon as the surface of the soil has dried. In spring and summer this may be necessary daily, while in winter it is necessary to water every 1 to 2 weeks if there is no snow. Only use low-lime water to take the acidic pH value into account.
Fertilize Japanese lavender heather properly
Pamper the shadow bell every 14 days from March to July with an organic fertilizer (€27.00 on Amazon) to keep the nutrient balance in check. In the pot, lavender heather is happy about a dose of liquid fertilizer according to the dosage instructions. Avoid giving nitrogen-rich, mineral fertilizer, as this promotes leaf growth, but at the expense of the abundance of flowers.
Wintering
The shadow bell is prepared for up to -23 degrees Celsius. Since the distinctive ornamental tree sets its buds in autumn and wears its green foliage throughout the entire winter, we still recommend the following protective measures:
- Heap the root slice thickly with leaves and conifers
- Cover the sensitive branches with fleece or jute
- Water a little on frost-free days
Buckets are placed on a wooden block in front of the south wall of the house and covered with bubble wrap. The substrate is covered with leaves or peat moss. Just like in the bed, a breathable fleece hat is beneficial to protect the buds.
Propagate Japanese lavender heather
In order to grow more specimens of a Japanese lavender heather, the following methods are available for the hobby garden:
- Cut cuttings 15 cm long, half defoliate, place in lean substrate and let root
- In spring, score half-woody sinkers in the middle and dig in at this point until roots form
For rooting to be successful, a constant supply of low-lime water is important. You can either plant the young shadow bells in the fall of the same year or care for them through the winter to plant particularly strong young plants from May onwards.
Is Japanese lavender heather poisonous?
The shadow bell is full of toxic ingredients that can have fatal effects on humans and animals. Skin contact with the plant sap results in severe irritation and even skin dermatitis. Consuming flowers, leaves and fruits causes nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and even fatal circulatory collapse. Always wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing when planting and caring for plants. Do not plant lavender heather within the reach of children and pets without appropriate safety precautions.read more
Yellow leaves
The shadow bell reacts to hard irrigation water with yellow leaves. The lime content in tap water causes leaf chlorosis in Japanese lavender heather, the visible symptom of which is yellow leaves with clearly visible green leaf veins. Cut off the diseased leaves and water immediately with collected rainwater or pond water.
Beautiful varieties
- Red Mill: Furious red leaf shoots of the evergreen foliage with creamy white flowers from April; Growth height 130 cm
- Katsura: Robust variety that sets impressive accents with wine-red shoots; Growth height 80-100 cm
- Flamingo: Purple bell flowers over evergreen, glossy leaves from March to May; Growth height 100-120 cm
- Variegata: Fantastically beautiful shadow bell with creamy white variegated foliage; Growth height up to 100 cm
