Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'
£13.99 per plant
- UK Nursery Grown
- Grow Guarantee
Pieris Mountain Fire Shrubs for Sale: 2 Litre Pot
Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'
£13.99 per plant
Pieris 'Mountain Fire' brings cream-white bell flowers in spring and fiery red new leaves that mature through coppery tones to glossy dark green. This compact evergreen shrub suits a sheltered acidic border or a large patio pot with ericaceous compost. Keep roots moist and protect young shoots from cold winds.
- Fiery red new shoots
- Cream-white spring flowers
- Glossy evergreen foliage
1. How would you like it supplied?
Grown and sent in a pot, so you can plant it in any month when the soil is not frozen or waterlogged. Ask us a question
Pots, bare root and rootball
- Bare root
- Arrives with bare roots and little soil. Keep them damp and plant while the weather is cool.
- Rootball
- Arrives with soil wrapped around the roots. Lift it by the soil ball rather than the stems and plant as directed.
- Potted
- Comes in a nursery pot. Each option shows the pot size and the height you will receive.
2. Pick your plant
Not sure which shrub to pick?Tell us about your garden and we will help you choose
Position
Sun or partial shade; sheltered from cold winds
Soil
Acidic, moist but well-drained soil or ericaceous compost
Supplied size
2 litre pot
Ordering
Order from 1 plant
Description
Pieris Mountain Fire Shrubs for Sale: 2 Litre Pot
What is Pieris Mountain Fire?
Pieris 'Mountain Fire' is a slow-growing evergreen shrub prized for two spring highlights: hanging clusters of cream-white, bell-shaped flowers and vivid red new leaves. The young foliage shifts through coppery-green shades before settling to a rich dark green. As the leaves mature, red, copper and green foliage may appear together, giving the shrub several weeks of changing colour in spring.
Its rounded habit suits mixed borders and spacious containers, particularly where the spring shoots can be seen against darker neighbouring plants. The glossy older leaves remain through winter, and the shrub usually needs little pruning beyond removing damaged or awkward branches.
Why choose Pieris Mountain Fire for your garden?
Pieris 'Mountain Fire' grows well alongside azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias where the soil is acidic and moisture-retentive. Its scarlet new shoots show up clearly against mature green foliage, making it a useful choice near a dark fence or at the front of a sheltered shrub border. Allow room for its eventual spread rather than crowding it among faster-growing plants.
For patios and balconies, it grows happily in a large container of ericaceous compost. Place the pot where you can see the changing leaf colour from a kitchen window or seating area. The evergreen leaves remain attractive after seasonal bedding has finished, provided the compost stays moist and drains freely through winter.
How tall and wide does Pieris Mountain Fire grow?
Expect a mature height and spread of roughly 1.5 to 2 metres over 10 to 20 years. Growth is slow, often 10 to 20cm per year once established. In a container, the plant will stay smaller because the roots are confined. This slow pace means it will not outgrow its spot quickly, which is useful in a small town garden or a mixed border where space is tight.
Where can I use Pieris Mountain Fire?
Choose a position where the emerging red leaves are easy to see in spring. Suitable planting positions include:
A sheltered acidic border with other woodland-style plants.
A large patio pot filled with ericaceous compost, where you can control the soil.
As a specimen shrub near a path or entrance, where you can appreciate the spring flowers and new leaf colour up close.
In a family garden, planted where children can watch the colour change through spring. Note that the leaves are toxic if eaten, so position it out of reach of young children and pets.
Choosing a size
Pieris 'Mountain Fire' is supplied as one plant in a 2 litre pot. It can be planted into an acidic border or moved into a larger container of ericaceous compost. Its supplied height is not specified, so choose its final position according to the mature size of the shrub rather than assuming a particular starting height.
| Option | Supplied size | Pot or root | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 litre pot | 1 plant | Height not specified | 2 litre pot | Planting now into a border or patio pot |
Growing and care
Planting and looking after it
When and how should I plant Pieris Mountain Fire?
Plant at any time the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Spring and early autumn are ideal, giving roots time to settle before summer heat or winter cold. Water the pot thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole the same depth as the rootball and twice as wide. Set the plant so the top of the compost sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with a mix of garden soil and ericaceous compost, firm gently and water well.
For a container, choose a pot at least 30cm wide with drainage holes. Fill with ericaceous compost and plant at the same depth. Leave a 3 to 5cm gap between the compost surface and the pot rim to make watering easier.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil or compost evenly moist, especially during the first growing season and whenever new leaves are developing. Dry roots cause leaf browning and poor growth. In hard-water areas, use rainwater for container plants where possible, as tap water can gradually raise the compost pH.
Feed lightly in spring with an ericaceous plant food. A mulch of bark or leaf mould around the base helps lock in moisture and keeps roots cool. Keep the mulch clear of the main stem to avoid rot.
Pruning and protection
Pieris 'Mountain Fire' rarely needs regular pruning. Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late spring after flowering. If you need to tweak the shape, trim lightly at the same time. Do not cut hard into old wood, and avoid clipping it like a hedge: the new growth is the main display, and cutting it off spoils the show.
Shelter from cold, drying winds is important. The soft young spring shoots are easily scorched by late frosts or harsh breezes. A spot near a wall or among other shrubs gives natural protection. If leaves yellow or growth looks weak, check soil acidity, drainage and watering before adding extra feed.
Seasonal care calendar
| Season | Task |
|---|---|
| Spring | Enjoy flowers and new red growth. Feed lightly. Prune after flowering if needed. |
| Summer | Water regularly, especially container plants. Top up mulch. |
| Autumn | Plant new shrubs. Reduce watering as growth slows. |
| Winter | Check pots are not waterlogged. Brush snow off branches to prevent splaying. |
Choose plants for acidic borders Compare pot and collection sizes Watering new shrubs
Our planting guideMore growing help: RHS plant and growing guidance
Sizes and prices
Pieris Mountain Fire sizes, prices and minimum orders
| Option | Supplied height | Pot or root | Plants | Price | Minimum order | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 litre pot | 1 plant | – | 2 litre pot | 1 | £13.99 per plant | None | Available |
Prices are for the option you select. Pack size is the number of plants you receive, and the minimum order is the smallest number we can send.
How sizes and quantities workDelivery
Delivery for your plant order
You will see delivery options and any charge in your basket before you pay.
Your plants are alive when they reach you, so open the box on the day, water if the compost feels dry and stand them somewhere sheltered until planting.
Delivery informationPlant questions
Good to know
Does the Pieris Mountain Fire prefer sun or shade?
It grows well in sun or partial shade, as long as the roots stay moist. In a hot, south-facing spot, the leaves can scorch, so light shade during the middle of the day is helpful. A position with morning sun and afternoon shade often works well. Too much deep shade reduces flowering and dulls the red leaf colour.
Where is the best place to plant a Pieris?
Choose a sheltered spot with acidic, moisture-retentive soil that drains freely. Avoid frost pockets and exposed, windy sites where cold gusts can damage the soft new growth. A border near a house wall, under light tree cover or among other shrubs gives natural protection. If your garden soil is alkaline or chalky, plant in a large container of ericaceous compost instead.
Do Pieris come back every year?
Yes, Pieris 'Mountain Fire' is an evergreen shrub, so it keeps its leaves through winter and produces new growth and flowers each spring. It can grow successfully in many UK gardens, although exposed positions and late frosts may damage the tender spring growth. Acidic soil, steady moisture and shelter from cold winds help it remain healthy over many years. The plant does not die back in autumn like a herbaceous perennial.
What are some common problems that pieris mountain fire plants encounter?
The most common issues are leaf browning from dry roots, wind scorch on young shoots, and yellowing leaves caused by alkaline soil or hard tap water. Leaf spot can appear in very wet seasons but is rarely serious. Pieris lacebug may cause pale mottling on the upper leaf surface; check the undersides for small dark insects and treat with a suitable spray if needed. Keeping the plant well-watered and mulched helps it resist most problems.
Is Pieris Mountain Fire toxic to pets or people?
Yes, all parts of Pieris japonica contain grayanotoxins and are poisonous if eaten. Keep plants out of reach of young children, dogs and cats. Wear gloves when handling or pruning, and wash hands afterwards. The flowers and nectar also contain grayanotoxins, so avoid treating any part of the shrub as edible.
Can I grow Pieris Mountain Fire in a pot?
Yes, it grows well in a large container. Use a pot at least 30cm wide with good drainage holes and fill it with ericaceous compost. Container plants need more frequent watering than those in the ground, especially in summer. Repot every few years into fresh compost to maintain acidity and root health.
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